Author: Monojit Mandal
Cruzeiro, a Brazilian soccer team, has officially confirmed the choice of Zé Ricardo as its new coach, signaling a fresh start after the departure of Portuguese coach Pepa on August 29.
This information was first reported by journalist Samuel Venâncio and SBT. Zé Ricardo, a 52-year-old veteran coach, has been without a club since leaving Japan’s Shimizu S-Pulse in April 2023. The Brazilian coach, who previously managed Vasco da Gama, took over at Shimizu in June 2022.
Zé Ricardo’s tenure at Shimizu was difficult, as he oversaw 28 matches but only managed six wins. Shimizu S-Pulse were relegated to Japan’s Second Division in 2022, which was an unfortunate turn of events.
Zé Ricardo, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1977, began his professional coaching career in 2016. Over the years, he has managed several important Brazilian clubs, including Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, Fortaleza, Internacional and Qatar-CAT.
Cruzeiro, currently in 12th place in the Brasileiro with 26 points, will face Santos at 7pm on Thursday, September 14, at Vila Belmiro in São Paulo. The game is crucial for both clubs, as Santos are in 17th place, just above the relegation zone for the Second Division in the 2024 season.
Zé Ricardo is known in Brazil for his attacking style of play, as well as his ability to encourage and get the best out of his players. He began his soccer career as a midfielder with Flamengo, before retiring due to injury in 2005 and becoming a coach.
His most famous achievement was leading Flamengo to victory in the 2017 Campeonato Carioca. Zé Ricardo was looking for his next coaching job after resigning as Vasco da Gama coach in September 2023 due to a poor start to the season.