Grêmio back Luís Castro as board question squad after turbulent Brasileirão return | OneFootball

Grêmio’s hierarchy have backed Luís Castro despite a bruising 2-1 defeat at Mirassol on Friday as the Brasileirão resumed.

According to Globo.com, president Odorico Roman said the coach is not the problem and suggested parts of the squad are not sufficient.

The club had banked on a 47-day World Cup pause for rest and training, yet the display at the Maião, particularly before half-time, alarmed directors. Still in the stadium, they met communications chief Douglas Lunardi to shape a response.

They chose an unprecedented move, executive Paulo Pelaipe faced the press, then Roman delivered a blunt assessment and said reinforcements will arrive despite financial strain. Pelaipe called the year a hard one, confirmed Castro stays and accepted supporters’ anger.

He added that the most important reinforcement is paying wages on time from July. Recent months brought delays to salaries, image rights and signing-on fees, and June pay will be settled in full from initial proceeds of Viery’s sale to Fiorentina.

Pelaipe argued that changing coach is not a simple fix, citing predecessors Renato Portaluppi, Roger, Mancini and Mano Menezes, and noting some clubs owe R$ 20 million or R$ 15 million to managers.

Since 8 December, Roman’s administration have made 24 exits and continue to back Castro’s academy-led plan to ease finances. Roman said options may not be enough and that three, perhaps four or five, are targeted this window. Viery’s sale, after Castro revived him, is held up as evidence.

Source: Globo.com