Léo Jardim backs Renato Gaúcho, urges truce for Brenner: “All like him”

In partnership with

Papo na Colina

·28 Mei 2026

Léo Jardim backs Renato Gaúcho, urges truce for Brenner: “All like him”

Goalkeeper Léo Jardim assured that the professional squad of Vasco is fully backing coach Renato Gaúcho and shared responsibility for the recent results that have stirred up tension behind the scenes at the club. After the 3-0 win over Barracas Central in the Copa Sudamericana, the Vasco keeper used his mixed-zone comments to publicly voice confidence in the manager. The goalkeeper played down rumors of friction in the dressing room and revealed that the internal demands made in recent days at Colina Histórica were productive and crucial to stopping the run of three straight defeats this season.

The statement from the leader of the defense comes in a turbulent week, triggered by the 3-0 loss to Red Bull Bragantino, which left the Rio side hovering just above the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship. The heavy defeat in the national tournament led members of organized supporter groups to gather at the gates of CT Moacyr Barbosa on Monday to direct harsh protests at the squad. In addition to the coach, fan pressure also focused on Uruguayan center-back Saldivia, left-back Lucas Piton, and striker Brenner, who is enduring a long goal drought while on the bench.

Video OneFootball

+ From boycott to “olé”: Vasco’s win features a missed penalty, fan frustration, and ironic chants

Internal pressure and backing at Vasco

Vasco’s starting goalkeeper stressed the need for the group of players to maintain tactical consistency in order to climb the standings in the Brazilian Championship. The player emphasized the nature of the talks at the training center, saying:

“We pushed ourselves hard. There was pressure from all sides, and it was very productive for this change of mindset. It’s important that we keep this going, that it isn’t just something temporary, that we really can turn this switch and become more consistent from now on.”

The keeper also made a point of defending coach Renato Gaúcho after questions from the press about his absence from the touchline and from Sunday’s post-match press conference. The No. 1 emphasized the squad’s unity by stating:

“As for Renato, we are fully behind him. We have responsibility for the results, and I think today was a very positive response from the group. We have to keep going down this path, keep working, keep our feet on the ground so that on Sunday we can play a great game and get the win.”

Léo Jardim during last Wednesday’s match – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Squad support for Brenner

The other focus of the Vasco goalkeeper’s comments was his full support for teammate Brenner, who was heavily booed at São Januário after missing a penalty in the second half. The keeper highlighted the affection the players have for the forward and guaranteed that the coaching staff is working daily to restore the player’s psychological confidence. The goalkeeper concluded by asking for patience and saying:

“Brenner is a guy that everyone in the group likes a lot, he’s very dear to everyone, and we know things are going to improve for him. He has to keep working, we give the player confidence, and Renato also makes a point of giving him that confidence.”

The squad is now focused on tactical training for next Sunday’s match against Atlético-MG, valid for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The SAF board is monitoring ticket sales and knows that fan support will be massive, since all terrace tickets have already sold out completely. Taking all three points at home has become an essential requirement for the club to restore peace with the organized supporter groups and allow the coach to keep working calmly before the break for the World Cup.