Tite’s first Cruzeiro presser: praises project, eyes titles

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·7 January 2026

Tite’s first Cruzeiro presser: praises project, eyes titles

Coach Tite was officially introduced this Tuesday as the new head of Cruzeiro and gave his first press conference at Toca da Raposa II. In his opening remarks, the coach highlighted the club’s sports project, the work environment he found, and the alignment with the board, in addition to projecting a competitive team capable of evolving over time and fighting for titles in the 2026 season.

Right at the start, Tite made a point of thanking president Pedro Lourenço and CEO Pedro Junio for the way he was received and emphasized the importance of the structure provided by the club.

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“First, I want to thank the president (Pedrinho) and Pedro Junio for the way we were welcomed. Pressure for results and titles is inherent in our activity. What’s different here is a work environment that provides quality preparation for the game. That’s what I’m grateful for, what has been implemented at Cruzeiro.”

Tite also highlighted the warm welcome he received from the Cruzeiro fans and reinforced his commitment to values such as honesty, loyalty, and transparency. The coach recalled the affection from the Blue Nation since the time he was at Toca da Raposa II with the Brazilian National Team and said he hopes to repay it on the field.

“I was welcomed by the fans. The Blue Nation, when we played here with the Brazilian National Team, treated me like this. This affection and welcome, I want to give back. Honesty, loyalty, and transparency are non-negotiable. I hope I can combine competence to repay this affection with the fans.”

Asked about Cruzeiro’s current moment, Tite made it clear that his decision to accept the invitation was, above all, due to the convergence of ideas with the board.

“We talked before any financial matters, about the ideas we shared. It’s about maintaining the core team, the structure already in place, which is inevitable over time for achievements to follow this same pattern, whether Tite is here or not. We have this harmony. Even though I know this increases the value of the players who are here. But it’s this work that has been done so far, so it can evolve and grow in this aspect. That brings you closer to the possibility of winning titles.”

When talking about the style of play, Tite pointed out differences and evolutions compared to his previous work, both at clubs and with the Brazilian National Team.

“Tactically, sometimes there’s individual pressing on the opponent’s ball exit. A positional attack that isn’t rigid, but allows creative freedom. Players between the lines who can generate creativity, increase offensive potential. It’s a balanced team, that scored 55 goals, with 21 from Kaio Jorge, but it was from the whole team, the entire staff, all the employees. Everyone contributes to making those goals happen. It’s a structure that allows him to be a top scorer. I have to be able not to impose what I want as an ideal tactical system, because it’s already developed in the 4-2-3-1, in the 4-4-2 as marking. Establish a variation? Yes. Bring in a player who can contribute in this aspect to generate competitiveness within the team? Maybe yes. Empower the youngsters in this first game? Yes.”

Tite praised the team’s collective performance last season, citing the 55 goals scored and the 21 by Kaio Jorge, reinforcing that individual prominence is the result of a well-structured collective context. According to him, the challenge now is to maximize what already exists, adjust tactical variations, and, if necessary, bring in pieces that increase internal competitiveness, without changing the group’s identity.

One of the points most emphasized by the coach was the importance of caring for mental health. Tite revealed that he found a welcoming and supportive environment at Cruzeiro, something he considers essential in high-performance football.

“First, I’m very happy to be at Cruzeiro. I know we need results, I know we need to win, we need titles. But I know there’s a whole process that leads to that. The high-level athlete, the high-level coach, there’s a very high demand for results. These mental issues end up putting a lot of pressure on you. I found peace, love, and affection here and I hope I can do a great job.”

“In our daily routine, the athlete sometimes shows signs of pressure, of not being in a good moment, of lacking confidence. I know, even from the outside, that there was an athlete who needed this and received support from the management. I know, for Kaio Jorge to score 21 goals, his whole past, how much he was embraced. I know about all the athletes, how much this relationship is established with Fagner. How important it is to have this support as a team and as a leader. I told the players: do you want a coach who will get everything right? That’s not me. But the idea is to do things right and be a source of trust.”

Regarding the use of young players, Tite advocated for a careful and integrated process. For him, a cohesive group makes it easier for youngsters to come in, avoiding premature judgments.

“Let’s put it in general terms. To give opportunities. When you have a cohesive work group, it’s easier for a youngster to come in and not have a false negative or a false positive, which is the challenge we have in the next game. Having this awareness and passing on this idea together, it’s about giving opportunities. Bringing in quality players, keeping those who are here, and opening space for the youngsters.”

Commenting on the negotiation involving midfielder Gerson, Tite highlighted the player’s versatility and explained that market decisions are made through a collective assessment of what’s best for Cruzeiro.

“Tactically, when we mention a player’s name, it’s not just the coach. It’s a shared decision in this situation. What’s best for Cruzeiro. What do we look for in a balanced team? Soon you have a player who can contribute in playmaking and creation – and Gerson has that ability – and he plays in two, three roles as well. He’s a winger/midfielder, or he’s a central midfielder, or a second midfielder as he played with me in the National Team. Versatile, which gives you more options for use. You start to have versatility without bloating the squad.”

Regarding Gabigol’s loan to Santos, the coach took a pragmatic approach, wishing the striker success and reinforcing his focus on the current squad: “We look ahead. I want to think about using Neyser, about Chico who’s coming in. I wish him success in his work, that he can return and give Cruzeiro, when the time is right, the best possible situation. I want to focus on my work. I’m happy to be at Cruzeiro.”

Finally, Tite commented on the Brazilian football calendar, calling it challenging, and stressed the importance of integrated work between the physical, medical, and psychological departments. The coach stated that, at this first stage, the focus will be on the Campeonato Mineiro, with the use of players depending on their physical condition.

“It’s challenging. Maybe that’s the right adjective. The calendar, the accumulation of competitions and the need for professionals in the physiological, nutritional, medical areas, the athletes’ awareness, so that we have physical health, and in psychological terms, the pressure is strong. In this first stage, our focus is the Campeonato Mineiro, and the use of players will depend on their physical conditioning.”

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