Paulinho, Mirassol's executive director, to Cruzeiro? What we know | OneFootball

Cruzeiro has made progress in talks to hire José Paulo Bezerra Maciel Júnior, known as Paulinho, Mirassol’s executive director, and is close to completing an important change in its football department.

RTI Esporte Agency has learned that negotiations have been going on for about two weeks and depend on an in-person meeting in the interior of São Paulo so that the final details can be settled during this FIFA international break.

The interest came from the Minas Gerais club and was well received from the first contact. Paulinho showed interest in the project presented by Pedro Lourenço, but remains careful to respect Mirassol’s internal procedures before formally leaving.

Behind the scenes, expectations are that the deal will be completed soon. Vice president Juninho Antunes is returning from a trip and is expected to meet with Paulinho later this week to move the negotiations forward.

Talks are being handled discreetly

Paulinho has already informed Mirassol that he was contacted by Cruzeiro, but he has not yet officially confirmed the agreement. The parties chose to keep the process private to avoid any friction between the clubs during the transition.

The professional has been working at Mirassol since the beginning of 2024. After ending his playing career at the end of that year, he moved into the administrative structure and gained space in football operations. In 2026, he took over as executive director and expanded his role in the club’s decisions.

New role in Cruzeiro’s structure

At Cruzeiro, the expectation is that Paulinho will initially be introduced as a technical coordinator. The role should place him between different areas of football, serving as a link between players, coaching staff, and the board.

The idea, however, goes beyond the squad’s day-to-day monitoring. Paulinho is also expected to take part in planning for 2027, especially in decisions related to squad building and the sporting direction of the SAF.

Recent experience weighs in the decision

His time at Mirassol gave him direct contact with management processes and squad building. Before taking on administrative duties, Paulinho had a playing career, which broadens his experience across different football environments.

His arrival at Cruzeiro therefore represents a new step in a path that recently began off the pitch. Cruzeiro’s football department already has different professionals involved in running the SAF.

In addition to Pedro Lourenço and Pedro Junio, the organizational chart includes Bruno Spindel, Joaquim Pinto, and Rodrigo Ramos. Paulinho’s possible arrival would add another name to the structure responsible for the club’s sporting decisions.

The move also comes as Cruzeiro begins to shape its planning for next season. The intention is to add new roles to the department and increase integration between the coaching staff, squad, and administration.

If this week’s meeting confirms the final details, Paulinho is expected to start at Cruzeiro with the mission of helping connect these areas and taking part in building the club’s football project for 2027.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.