Brazilian football continues to see significant shifts on the sidelines, with Cruzeiro becoming the latest club to make a managerial change. The club officially announced the dismissal of veteran coach Tite following a string of disappointing results. Cruzeiro, currently struggling in the Brasileirão standings and without a league win in 2026, is seeking a new direction to solidify its position in the top flight. The club is already considering potential replacements, with former Flamengo manager Filipe Luís emerging as a strong candidate, alongside Marcelo Gallardo, according to reports.
What appeared to be a safe appointment following Leo Jardim’s departure at Flamengo has spiraled into a challenging situation for Cruzeiro. Tite, brought in with a decorated resume from his previous roles with the Brazilian national team and Flamengo, lasted just four months at the helm in Belo Horizonte. The poor results have undermined a project that, after finishing third in the 2025 Brasileirão, aimed to establish Cruzeiro as a dominant force in Brazilian football. The start to 2026 has been particularly difficult for A Raposa.
Despite leading the team to a 1-0 victory in the final of the Mineiro state championship against Atlético Mineiro, Tite was unable to secure his position. His dismissal highlights a broader trend of instability on the benches of Brazilian clubs. Earlier in 2026, both Filipe Luís – a champion of the previous Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores – and Hernán Crespo – a leader in the first division – were relieved of their duties. This wave of changes also includes Juan Carlos Osorio (Remo), Fernando Diniz (Vasco da Gama), and Jorge Sampaoli (Atlético Mineiro).
The increasing demands and financial investment in Brazilian football are contributing to this heightened pressure on managers. Cruzeiro, under the ownership of Pedro Lourenço, is aiming to develop into a major force in South American football, and the club’s leadership is seeking a coach who can deliver on those ambitions.
🦊🚨 OFICIAL: O Cruzeiro informa que decidiu pelo encerramento do trabalho de Tite como treinador da equipe. pic.twitter.com/vxexgUJxGv
— Cruzeiro 🦊 (@Cruzeiro) March 16, 2026
Filipe Luís, who won the 2024 Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores with Flamengo, is reportedly the club’s “Plan A,” according to ESPN. Representatives from Cruzeiro contacted the former Flamengo coach shortly after Tite’s dismissal, marking the second time the club has reached out to Luís. While Luís is reportedly interested in exploring the project, a move to Cruzeiro is considered “complicated” due to his preference for a potential opportunity in European football. However, financial considerations are not currently seen as a major obstacle.
Hernán Crespo, who was recently dismissed from São Paulo, is no longer considered a viable option for the Cruzeiro job. According to Bolavip Brasil, Crespo intends to take a break from coaching before considering future opportunities, potentially until after the World Cup later in the year. A source within Cruzeiro also confirmed that Crespo’s name is not currently under discussion by the club’s board.
Artur Jorge, who previously led Botafogo to the 2024 Brasileirão and CONMEBOL Libertadores titles, is also being considered as a potential replacement. Cruzeiro’s leadership appears more receptive to discussing a potential move with Jorge than with Filipe Luís at this stage.
The situation at Cruzeiro reflects a broader trend of managerial turnover in Brazilian football. The increased expectations and financial investment in the league are creating a high-pressure environment for coaches. As Cruzeiro navigates this challenging period, the club’s next managerial appointment will be crucial in determining its trajectory for the remainder of the 2026 season and beyond.
The coming days will be critical as Cruzeiro’s board assesses its options and engages in negotiations with potential candidates. The pursuit of Filipe Luís will likely be a key focus, but the club is also prepared to explore other avenues, including a potential move for Artur Jorge. Fans will be eager to see who will lead A Raposa as they strive to climb the Brasileirão table and achieve their ambitions.
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