Former player Edu Dracena, 42 years old, arrived late this Saturday morning (4/5) in Belo Horizonte, where he will sign a contract with Cruzeiro. He will be the technical director of football for the new SAF management, led by Pedro Lourenço.
The report of TEMPO Sports he was at Confins Airport, where he accompanied the arrival of the new celestial leader. “It’s a great emotion because there is affection and gratitude, not only for Cruzeiro, but for the people of Minas Gerais”, said Dracena, who went from the terminal to Toca da Raposa to begin his work.
“We hope to put the club in the place where it should never have left, which is one of achievements, and we are going to work hard for that. I’ve been without working for a long time, and I’m going to experience that emotion and that butterflies in my stomach that I haven’t had in a long time. felt,” he added.
Dracena, who has a successful history at the club as a defender, will fill the vacant role following the departure of Paulo Autuori. The manager arrives at the request of Alexandre Mattos, hired by Pedrinho to be the CEO of the sports department.
Another hired by the new management is Paulo Pelaipe, new executive director of football. The 73-year-old professional was made official by the club and started working this Friday (3/5).
Cruzeiro player and manager
At the beginning of 2023, he was hired by Cruzeiro, appointed by coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, and remained in Belo Horizonte until 2006. One of the team’s highlights, he played 161 games, scored 13 goals and won several titles, such as the Brazilian Championship and the Copa do Brazil 2003.
In 2006, the board sold him to Fenerbahçe, in Turkey, where he would play alongside former Cruzeiro players Alex and Deivid. At the time, it yielded 5.7 million euros to the heavenly coffers.
In 2019, after retiring as a player, Edu Dracena accepted the invitation from Porco’s board of directors to be the club’s technical advisor. In 2021, he was hired by Peixe, where he served as executive director of football until July 2022.
