(photo: Gustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro)
Cruzeiro coach, Fernando Seabra revealed what the first days of work were like under the command of the new board of directors of Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF). The coach gave details of contact with the new management of the football department, which was completely modified after the arrival of Pedro Lourenço and the departure of Ronaldo.
Seabra stated that he received great support from Raposa’s new directors. The statement was made shortly after the stellar 3-0 victory over Alianza, this Tuesday (7/5), at the Armando Maestre Pavajeau Stadium, in Valledupar, Colombia, in the fourth round of Group B of the Copa Sudamericana. .
“In that first moment, it was very calm. They all gave me support and confidence to continue my work in the best way possible. What I can say is that we had a very peaceful work week. We were able to develop the content without any problems”, he began.
“They (SAF directors at Cruzeiro) have provided support and observed the routines. Certainly, with the experience and vision they have of football and processes, they will, little by little, bring up the important points that they believe can help us make the work even better”.
– Fernando Seabra, Cruzeiro coach.
New board of SAF do Cruzeiro
Fernando Seabra was referring to Alexandre Mattos, Paulo Pelaipe and Edu Dracena. They were chosen by Pedrinho, the new owner of 90% of Cruzeiro’s shares, to complete the board of directors of the SAF football department.
Lourenço gave Mattos the most prestigious position in the department. Initially, the experienced manager was hired to be Raposa’s football director. However, he has an even more important role: he is a kind of football CEO.
Mattos is responsible for managing the current squad’s contractual situations, mapping the market and approving possible signings to be made. Furthermore, the director has the autonomy to change the technical command of the team.
Pedro Lourenço’s trusted man, Mattos will occupy a role similar to that performed by Paulo André during Ronaldo Nazário’s management at the head of SAF Celeste. The former defender was the club’s strategy director. He was the one who made the final decisions in the football department.
Other changes in the football department
With Mattos’ recommendation, Pedrinho hired Paulo Pelaipe to join the portfolio at Cruzeiro. The 73-year-old professional was at Botafogo-SP when he accepted the invitation to be executive director of football.
Roughly speaking, Pelaipe will replace Pedro Martins. Therefore, according to the new SAF structure, the decisions made by him in football will be supervised by Alexandre Mattos.
The most recent news in Cruzeiro’s football department was the arrival of Edu Dracena to join the portfolio. The former defender was announced as technical director last Saturday (4/5).
Dracena, who had a successful spell at Raposa as a player, returns to the club to replace Paulo Autuori. He will be responsible for connecting the SAF board with the technical committee and athletes in the youth, professional and women’s categories.
