Cruzeiro’s new board is still on the market to rebuild the club’s football department after the sale of Sociedade Anônima de Futebol (SAF). For management of the department, the desired name is Paulo Pelaipe, 73 years old, currently at Botafogo-SP.
In contact with ItatiaiaPelaipe confirmed the negotiations and was optimistic about the outcome of the talks.
“Of course Cruzeiro is a big team. Which manager wouldn’t want to work at a club like Cruzeiro. A club that has strength, size, a strong fan base,” he told Itatiaia.
Paulo Pelaipe has been the football director at Botafogo-SP since 2021. Previously, he worked as football manager at Flamengo, in 2019. At the club, he was champion of Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Libertadores da América. In his first spell with the red-black team, between 2012 and 2014, he won the Campeonato Carioca and the Copa do Brasil.
Cruzeiro’s interest in Paulo Pelaipe was advanced by journalist Samuel Venâncio and confirmed by Itatiaia.
Another notable job for Pelaipe was at Grêmio, where the manager began his football career. He participated in winning the Copa do Brasil in 2001, Série B in 2005, and was runner-up in the Libertadores in 2007.
Pelaipe is an old acquaintance of Alexandre Mattos. The two are part of the Brazilian Association of Football Executives (ABEX). “I know Alexandre, we have a good relationship through Abex (Brazilian Association of Football Executives) and since the times when I was at Grêmio and he was at América”, he highlighted.
The official announcement of the signing of Paulo Pelaipe by Cruzeiro should take place this week. Confirmation by the celestial board can await the important duel between Botafogo-SP in the third phase of the Copa do Brasil.
Botafogo-SP plays this Thursday (2) against Palmeiras, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Allianz Parque.
Changes in Cruzeiro football
With the sale of SAF Cruzeirense to businessman Pedro Lourenço, significant changes took place in the club’s football department.
In recent days, Pedro Martins, football director since January 2022, left Toca II to settle with Vasco da Gama. Former defender Paulo André would be the replacement, but with the change in command of Sociedade Anônima de Futebol, he will leave the club along with Ronaldo Fenômeno.
Another who left Cruzeiro was Paulo Autuori. He held the position of technical director.
Therefore, there is still an open position in Cruzeiro’s football department. The vacancy left by Paulo Autuori will also be filled, according to businessman Pedro Lourenço.
