Who Will Lead Cruzeiro Against Athletico-PR?

Cruzeiro moved quickly after dismissing Tite this week. The coach was sacked in the Mineirão locker room following a 3-3 draw with Vasco. The club now races to name a permanent successor.

Upcoming match and immediate leadership

Cruzeiro visits Athletico at Arena da Baixada on Thursday, 18/3. The fixture is part of the Serie A seventh round.

The question of who will lead Cruzeiro against Athletico-PR remains unresolved. Interim coach Wesley Carvalho will take charge for the trip.

Search for a new head coach

The club has approached several targets. Filipe Luís was contacted but declined, preferring opportunities in Europe.

Artur Jorge is the priority candidate. Filmogaz.com reports Cruzeiro has made an official proposal and now awaits his answer.

Artur Jorge, 54, currently manages Al Rayyan in Qatar. His Al Rayyan contract runs until June next year.

Cruzeiro is prepared to pay the coach’s release clause. The club treats Artur Jorge as its main option.

Interim: Wesley Carvalho

Wesley Carvalho will lead the team against Athletico and likely against Santos on Sunday. He stepped up after Tite’s dismissal.

Background and record

Carvalho is 51 years old. He began with Palmeiras under-20 and left that role in 2021.

He joined Athletico as an assistant in May 2022. He served as permanent head coach there from June to December 2023.

Carvalho arrived at Cruzeiro in August 2024. He is the club’s fixed assistant coach.

He previously led Cruzeiro in four matches this season. His record with the team is two wins, one draw and one defeat.

Under Carvalho the side scored eight goals and conceded five. The club hopes he steadies the squad during the transition.

Team form and probable lineup

Cruzeiro seeks its first win in the Serie A. The team sits at the bottom of the table after six matches.

The squad has drawn three matches so far. Those draws came against Mirassol, Corinthians and Vasco.

The team has also lost three games. Defeats were against Botafogo, Coritiba and Flamengo.

Probable starting XI for the trip to Athletico:

• Matheus Cunha
• William
• Fabrício Bruno
• Villalba
• Kaiki
• Matheus Henrique
• Lucas Silva
• Christian
• Japa
• Wanderson (Arroyo)
• Chico da Costa (Villarreal)

Cruzeiro faces a decisive week. The outcome will influence the coaching search and the club’s league position. Filmogaz.com will follow developments closely.