Washington reveals why he did not join Grêmio in 2007 | OneFootball

Former striker Washington, known as Coração Valente, has explained why he did not sign for Grêmio at the end of 2007 despite the club’s interest.

According to Gremistas.net, then football executive Rodrigo Caetano, who had worked with Washington at Caxias in the 1990s, opened talks as Fluminense had not agreed a new deal.

Washington was keen on playing for Grêmio and had almost joined after Jardel’s departure in 1996, but an injury in his final Caxias match before moving to Porto Alegre blocked the move.

Following that injury he was loaned by Caxias to rivals Internacional, coached by Celso Roth, who had previously managed him at the Serra Gaúcha club and requested his signing. Washington said Roth then did not use him.

He maintained he was fit to play but received no opportunities, adding that Roth did not even speak to him. With no space in the squad, Internacional returned him to Caxias.

Years later, Washington said that experience weighed on his 2007 decision, with Roth’s presence at Grêmio counting against a deal.

Source: Gremistas.net

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