Pedrinho BH, a supermarket magnate, is the new owner of Cruzeiro’s SAF.
He acquired Ronaldo’s shares, totalling 90% of the SAF quotas, for R$ 600 million.
The impact of his arrival was immediate. Check out how Cruzeiro is faring after the retailer’s takeover.
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Index
Cruzeiro under Ronaldo
The history of Cruzeiro has been recounted numerous times in previous articles.
A billion-dollar deficit left by Zezé Perrella and his team began to be addressed when the club transformed into an SAF.
The buyer was one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo “Phenomenon,” who started his professional career at Toca da Raposa.
Image: Reproduction R7
Ronaldo was able to help the club return to the top division with a brilliant campaign.
However, in 2023, the year of their return, Cruzeiro fans continued to suffer as the team faced scares throughout the year, with the threat of relegation to Serie B lingering until the final stages of the Brasileirão.
This year, the situation hasn’t changed, at least not yet.
A crushing defeat against Atlético Mineiro in the Campeonato Mineiro final.
In the Copa Sudamericana, struggles against inferior opponents.
In the Copa do Brasil, a historic elimination to Souza-PB.
With all this, Ronaldo’s image gradually deteriorated.
This is how Pedro Lourenço, popularly known as Pedrinho BH, exercised the purchase of 90% of SAF shares for R$ 600 million.
The businessman, a declared Cruzeiro supporter, already had a stake in the club, having been the main sponsor with Supermercados BH on the team’s shirt.
Unlike many who take on such a position, the new leader did not just make promises but immediately moved in the market, bringing in top-level players to join the already good squad.
Follow us to see the new signings and the current situation of Cruzeiro.
Image: Old Football Shirts
Pedrinho BH Arrives at Cruzeiro
Pedro Lourenço took over the SAF at the end of April, arriving in the fifth round. At this point, the team was in 11th position.
Even before taking office, he already had major signings lined up.
He arrived with open coffers. In this window, they had already spent €37.03 million, quite high amounts considering the Brazilian market.
The most important permanent signing, without a doubt, was Matheus Pereira. The midfielder, who was on loan and owned by Al Hilal, went through tough times, facing severe depression.
With the support of his family, the player overcame his struggles in an emotional manner and is now arguably the best player in the Brazilian Championship.
Cruzeiro spent €5 million on him, plus a monthly salary of over R$1 million.
In 18 matches, he has scored 6 goals and provided 4 assists.
Other significant signings include Matheus Henrique and Walace from Italian football, Sassuolo and Udinese respectively.
Additionally, Kaio Jorge, who did not take off at Juventus, is another attacking option.
Lautaro Diaz, known to São Paulo fans for scoring in the Copa Sudamericana final for Independiente del Valle against Tricolor Paulista. The Argentine has already found the net for the Cabuloso.
Furthermore, goalkeeper Cássio, a supreme idol of Corinthians, is the new guardian of Cruzeiro’s goal. This was a key position as Rafael Cabral was underperforming before his departure, and Grando failed to secure the spot.
Currently, the club from Minas Gerais is in fifth position, playing attractive football.
This is without the new signings having fully integrated into the team. Therefore, the growth potential of the entire squad is quite significant.
Even though the big names haven’t yet showcased their full potential, which they might do soon, the change in the club’s administration seems to have been significantly beneficial.
From a motivational standpoint, the players have been delivering much more. Not that they weren’t giving their best under Ronaldo’s leadership.
However, the difference in results and the team’s performance has been stark since Fernando Seabra’s arrival at the beginning of April.
Seabra is a young coach with his first experience as a head coach at Cruzeiro. He previously managed the under-20 team at Raposa and Red Bull Bragantino.
Moreover, he has six matches as Paulo Autuori’s assistant at Cruzeiro and one as interim in 2023.
Now, he has accumulated 24 matches, with 14 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses.
The coach’s contract runs until the end of 2024.
Do you believe that with this management shift, they can start dreaming of good rankings and perhaps titles?
Image: Reproduction “O Maior de Minas”
Written by Vitor F L Miller.