Officially presented as the new coach of Cruzeiro on Wednesday, Artur Jorge delivered a clear message to the Raposa squad, assuring that the team will change its style of play compared to Tite's model and that victories will return soon. The Portuguese coach, who signed a contract until the end of 2027, identified the main issues to address during a press conference. "We know that the emotional aspect has to be shaken when we are not winning. We need to combat what I consider the two biggest problems in modern football: ego and expectation. We need to lower our ego and focus on the expectations we have to meet. We have to work hard. Stay grounded. Have the humility to work a lot to achieve more," emphasized the coach. Artur Jorge arrives to replace Tite, who was dismissed after a draw with Vasco da Gama, and finds Cruzeiro in 20th place in the Brasileirão, without any victories and with only four points accumulated in eight matches. "We need to win and have consistency. We are in last place, which does not reflect the values and quality of the squad itself. For me, we also need to win. We will win soon," he promised. The Portuguese coach reinforces the idea that he will implement a new style of play, different from his predecessor. "We will not play the same way. We need to harness the players' potential. The management has worked, but the value has not yet come through. We need to know how to maximize it," he explained, expressing satisfaction at having six days to prepare the team before the next challenge. When asked about the possibility of prioritizing any competition, Artur Jorge was emphatic, stating that all will be approached with the same seriousness. "If you followed me in 2024, you will easily understand that I do not prioritize any competition. We have to approach each competition with the same commitment so that we can be competent in each of them," he declared, adding that his goal is to take Cruzeiro "as far as possible" in national and international competitions. The defensive fragility, with 16 goals conceded in the championship, is one of the coach's concerns, who sees the solution in a collective effort. "This is a process that has to include the team. We all have to attack well, we all have to defend well, and we all have to be compact," he emphasized. It is worth noting that Artur Jorge arrives at Cruzeiro from Al Rayyan in Qatar. The hiring involved a payment of 15 million reais (about 2.5 million euros) to the Qataris, which will be paid in installments over two years. The initial release clause of 6 million euros was the main obstacle in the negotiations but was eventually reduced. In Brazilian football, the former SC Braga coach made a name for himself while serving Botafogo in 2024, where he won the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirão, achieving a 65.4% success rate in 55 matches.
Artur Jorge The Portuguese remains central to this story.
Artur Jorge The Portuguese remains central to this story.
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