Renato clarifies past with Tetê at Grêmio and aims to revive the forward | OneFootball

Renato Portaluppi addressed his past with Tetê during his Grêmio unveiling, after questions about the forward who left in 2019 before making a senior appearance and was sold to Shakhtar Donetsk. He said he intends to help the player recover and see if he can contribute.

He revealed they held a long conversation on Thursday at the player's request. Tetê returned in January and is under contract until the end of 2029. According to Globo.com, the discussion was very positive and boosted the player's confidence.

Offering his version of the 2019 exit, Renato said he had never worked with Tetê, who was still in the academy. He recalled then president Romildo Bolzan telling him the renewal would only happen if the youngster was promoted, which he opposed because he did not know the player. He added it was not personal and that final decisions belonged to the president.

Renato argued a player should not leap straight to the first team to secure a contract. He said he has begun correcting details in training, described Tetê as talented and willing, and hopes they can recover him to help the team.

At the time, Tetê lamented not being integrated and expected a call after the South American Under-20s, which did not happen. Raised at Grêmio, he was seen as a leading academy prospect with a €100 million release clause and trained with Tite's senior Brazil squad in the United States in 2018. Sold to Ukrainian football in early 2019, he later played in France, England, Türkiye and Greece, most recently at Panathinaikos, before returning.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”