Umberto Louzer gives up according to Cruzeiro and continues as Chapecoense...

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The coach spoke through an official note, released by Chapecoense on Wednesday afternoon.

– I appreciate the contact of Cruzeiro, but I chose to remain in Chapecoense. In fact, there was an interest so that I could take over the team, but I really believe in the project that is being developed here. This desire weighed in my decision to stay and conclude what we started. In addition, I value fulfilling my contract wherever I go and here will be no different – he said.

During the night, Louzer met with Mano Dal Piva, vice president of football at Chape, and decided that he would lead the team this Wednesday. The decision to stay was communicated to the cast this Wednesday morning, just before lunch, at the hotel where the green and white delegation is concentrated.

The staff of the coach came to signal positively to the proposal of Cruzeiro. In Louzer’s view, the challenge of taking over the Minas Gerais club and helping his recovery in Serie B could put him on the national scene. If he was not successful, he would continue on the same professional level as before.

In the conversation with the squad, the coach stated that the proposal was “tempting”, but that happiness at Chapecoense weighed in on the decision. Another factor was the commitment made as a group of players for access. The commander convinced some athletes to stay in the club even with advantageous proposals to leave, such as Anselmo Ramon, who was wanted by a Serie A club.

Umberto Louzer follows with Chapecoense coach after the onslaught of Cruzeiro – Photo: Márcio Cunha / Chapecoense

After trying Lisca, coach of América, and Felipão, without a club, Umberto Louzer was the one chosen by the board of the Minas Gerais team to take the vacancy left by Ney Franco, dismissed last Sunday, after a goalless draw with Lanterna Oeste.

Cruzeiro tries to hire the fourth coach of the season: Adilson Batista, Enderson Moreira and Ney Franco went through Toca da Raposa this year. The three were fired because of the club’s weak campaign in 2020. Cruzeiro did not reach the final stage of the Mineiro Championship, ended up eliminated by the CRB in the Brazil Cup, in addition to not leaving the bottom of Series B.

The next game of Cruzeiro is scheduled for this Friday, at 21.30, against Juventude, in Mineirão, for the 16th round of Series B. The preparation of the team for the game is being done in Atibaia, in the interior of São Paulo, from where the delegation will return on Thursday. Former defender Célio Lúcio, who works as a fixed assistant at Toca, should direct Cruzeiro before the team from Rio Grande do Sul.

Umberto Louzer, 40, took over Chapecoense in February. There, he led a team sprint in Catarinense. When he arrived at the club, the team fought against relegation, but ended up state champion.

In Serie B, Louzer has another good campaign. Even with fewer games compared to most teams, Chapecoense is in third place on the table, with 26 points and just one defeat in 13 rounds. Ponte, vice-leader, has 27 and two games more, while Cuiabá, leader, has 32 and three games more than the team from Santa Catarina.

Check out the full official note released by Chapecoense:

The Chapecoense Football Association goes public to officially inform that coach Umberto Louzer remains in charge of the team.

After interest shown by Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, the coach informed the green and white board, on the beginning of the afternoon of this Wednesday (14), that he is focused on the project and objectives of Chapecoense.

“I appreciate Cruzeiro’s contact, but I chose to stay in Chapecoense. In fact, there was an interest so that I could take over the team, but I really believe in the project that is being developed here. This desire weighed in my decision to stay and conclude what we started. In addition, I value fulfilling my contract wherever I go and here it will be no different “, he said.