Pedro Junio speaks on exit, promises clarity on Jardim’s future by tomorrow

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·15 December 2025

Pedro Junio speaks on exit, promises clarity on Jardim’s future by tomorrow

The elimination of Cruzeiro in the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil, against Corinthians, was also analyzed by the club’s management. In the mixed zone at Neo Química Arena, the club’s vice-president and CEO, Pedro Junio, spoke to the press after the defeat on penalties, commented on the moment of frustration, reinforced confidence in the football planning, and addressed key topics for the future of Raposa, such as the situation of coach Leonardo Jardim and important players in the squad.

Pedro Junio began by speaking about the elimination, the context created, and the feeling about the planning:

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“A very difficult day, a defeat on penalties hurts. We feel for the fans who had high expectations, and so did we. But we leave this season proud, with a plan that isn’t meant to make us champions overnight, a correct plan, with work guidelines. We had a spectacular campaign in the Brasileiro, and the Copa do Brasil was something we wanted. It’s a group we are proud to be part of, they fought until the end, and by a small margin we’re not in the final. But we hold our heads high, with planning already well underway, and we know that in football you don’t win overnight. Last year we reached the final of the Sudamericana, this year the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, but we remain strong and hope to bring joy to the fans. I know it’s a tough day, a day of mourning, but we walk away with our heads held high.”

Regarding the future of coach Leonardo Jardim, Pedro Junio confirmed that the decision was postponed until after the Copa do Brasil and indicated that a decisive conversation will take place tomorrow, Monday (15).

“What was decided is that we would have a conversation after the Copa do Brasil. We’ll have a talk tomorrow, very frank and honest, as it’s always been. Jardim is a correct guy, a spectacular coach, and tomorrow we’ll have a decision and will let you know.”

The director emphasized that keeping the coach is the board’s desire:

“We hope he stays. But the decision has to be made together, it has to be good for both sides, and we know what both sides want. But our planning has already started, it doesn’t start tomorrow. Our department changes nothing whether Leonardo Jardim stays or not, we’ll sit down, but today is not the day to talk about staying or not, to make it official.”

Pedro Junio also commented on contract situations of important players in the squad.

About Matheus Pereira:

“Pereira has a contract that ends next year. We’re in advanced negotiations, and we hope to reach an agreement with him as soon as possible.”

Regarding Gabigol, who missed the decisive penalty, the director was straightforward about the striker’s contract with the club. “He has a contract with Cruzeiro for another three years, he is a club asset and will remain in the squad as usual,” he stated. Pedro also treated the interest of other clubs in the squad’s players as something natural. “Offers for any player are common in football. It will happen for Gabriel, for Matheus, for Fabrício. We treat it as something natural, this will happen with any player at the club.”

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