Zé Ricardo takes charge of Palmeiras’ Libertadores rivals Sporting Cristal | OneFootball

Sporting Cristal, Palmeiras’ group-stage opponents in the Libertadores, have named Brazilian coach Zé Ricardo as their new head coach after Paulo Autuori’s departure.

According to Nosso Palestra, he has signed a contract running until December 2027, taking over following a sequence of poor results.

Cristal are in Group F alongside Cerro Porteño, Junior Barranquilla and Palmeiras. They meet Palmeiras on 16 April at Allianz Parque in the second round, then again on 5 May in the fourth.

Ricardo will find familiar names for Brazilian fans, including forward Felipe Vizeu and midfielder Gabriel, both with past spells at Flamengo.

He has been without a club since leaving Criciúma in May 2025, after 21 matches that brought nine wins, seven draws and five defeats.

Guarani sounded him out earlier this season, although talks did not progress. This is his third job outside Brazil, following previous spells with Qatar SC and Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan.

Source: Nosso Palestra