‘We take the blame’: Lopes and Mendes back Renato at Vasco

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Papo na Colina

·25 May 2026

‘We take the blame’: Lopes and Mendes back Renato at Vasco

Vasco went through an extremely turbulent early morning behind the political scenes after head coach Renato Gaúcho resigned to executive director Admar Lopes in the locker room at São Januário, shortly after the 3-0 defeat to Red Bull Bragantino this Sunday (24), in the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship. The coach made the drastic decision after being heavily insulted as a “coward” from the stands and struck by a cup thrown by fans at the moment of São Paulo side’s third goal. An emergency meeting lasting more than an hour involving president Pedrinho managed to talk him out of leaving the position immediately, containing the crisis for the time being.

The SAF leadership and the executive committee presented guarantees regarding the strategic planning to convince the coach to continue his work on the pitch. Although the situation was handled with massive support from the squad, another decisive meeting was scheduled for this Monday (25) to seal his definitive stay. A climate of institutional uncertainty took over the club’s hallways, reflecting the wear and tear of a negative run of three consecutive defeats in the 2026 season.

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Admar Lopes’ statement and the board’s protection of Renato

In the press conference held more than an hour and a half late, Admar Lopes tried to deflect the press regarding the coach’s request to leave. The Portuguese executive took responsibility for the poor performance and justified blocking the coach’s appearance in the press room for purely emotional reasons:

“We wanted to take responsibility and didn’t let Renato come to the press conference […] Renato was deeply hurt by the criticism. There was a lot of conversation, but Renato did not resign. The possibility of him leaving is not on the table. There was a very open conversation, man to man, and we made this gesture to show that we are with him. We are taking our responsibility and it is never just one person’s fault.”

The executive argued that the professional squad fully supports the coach and will not tolerate the blame for this bad moment being pinned on a single figure. Admar acknowledged that the squad has quality issues and structural shortcomings, especially the gap in defensive midfield that could not be filled due to financial restrictions. Vasco’s board asked the fans for a vote of confidence in order to try to reverse the psychological instability that has haunted the institution over the last four years.

Thiago Mendes and Admar Lopes hold a press conference at São Januário — Photo: João Guerra

Thiago Mendes’ leadership and the apology to Vasco fans

Defensive midfielder and team captain Thiago Mendes stepped up to the press podium to shield the coach and demand that the players take responsibility for the poor football being played. The experienced midfielder made a point of apologizing to Vasco fans for the heavy scoreline and stressed that the group needs to stand up and take the blows instead of the coaching staff:

“Personally, I wanted to apologize to the fans who came today, it was not the result everyone expected. We have to work now, keep our heads up, we have an important match on Wednesday and we have to get out of the situation we’re in. Three straight defeats, it can’t continue like this. We have to beat our chest and represent Vasco. We know the difficulties at home and away, but we have to work.”

The midfielder also defended the player rotation strategy implemented by the staff, arguing that playing in three competitions simultaneously would push the starters beyond their physical limits. Vasco now needs to put the behind-the-scenes crisis aside and focus on the decisive clash against Barracas Central this Wednesday (27), in the Copa Sudamericana. A home victory is considered crucial for the group to regain the public’s confidence and begin the recovery process this season.

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