Tite has publicly apologized to Corinthians for turning down their offer in 2023, while also revealing lingering frustration over his departure from Flamengo. He insists that his brief spell at Cruzeiro, though cut short after less than three months and fewer than 20 matches, actually reignited his love for the game.
Despite winning the Campeonato Mineiro, Tite faced fierce rejection from Cruzeiro fans, who chanted for his exit until his dismissal was confirmed. But the 64-year-old coach says the experience left him more energized than ever.
“It reignited my passion! Yes — the pleasure, the daily satisfaction. When we were going through a tough stretch, I called everyone together and said, ‘Do you think I got this far for nothing? I have plenty of scars! Do you want me to tell you a story?’ They asked me to, and soon we were all celebrating on the pitch. That shared joy with the staff gives me immense pleasure — it’s the human side that makes me truly happy,” Tite said.
He stressed that his strained relationship with the supporters was one-sided. For Cruzeiro, he has only praise — for the management, the infrastructure, and the players. His only regret was not having enough time to fully develop his work, as his tenure lasted just 90 days.
**Tite Opens Up (Part 1)**
The coach also admitted his mistake in the World Cup loss to Croatia, shared behind-the-scenes details, and said he cried after the elimination.
He sees parallels between his time at Cruzeiro and his earlier stint at Flamengo (2023–2024): both included a state title and friction with fans. But his departure from Rio still stings.
“I was very upset because I couldn’t say goodbye to the staff or have that human moment with the players. A year and a half later, I went to say goodbye when we faced each other, but I was told not to go. That’s a lack of human respect —
