Sports · Football · 6 hrs ago
Renato seeks to unite Grêmio as club backs football department
Grêmio coach Renato Portaluppi is trying to unite the team after a draw in the 455th Gre-Nal, the rivalry match against Internacional.
He criticized the club’s recruitment and its high number of foreign players, saying some had not adjusted to Brazilian football.
Renato is under pressure to keep Grêmio in Brazil’s top division, Série A, and has about 40 days to help the team avoid relegation.
He says he has the support of senior players and believes the squad can stay up.
The club’s football department, including executive Paulo Pelaipe and vice-president Rafael Lima, is also facing criticism, but president Odorico Roman does not plan to make changes.
Talks between players, coaches and club officials are expected in the coming days.
Grêmio return to training on Tuesday and have a crucial match on Sunday as they seek points in the fight to remain in Série A.
Renato Portaluppi said he would try to unite Grêmio’s squad after his comments following the Gre-Nal 455 draw.
He criticized the recruitment of foreign players who lack knowledge of Brazilian football, saying responsibility for poor signings should fall on those who made them.
The club’s football department is not expected to undergo changes, with president Odorico Roman backing its leaders.
Renato aims to rally players committed to keeping Grêmio in Brazil’s Série A over the next 40 days.
Further discussions among players, coaching staff and club officials are expected in the coming days.
- Who
- Grêmio coach Renato Portaluppi, the club’s players and its football department.
- What
- Renato is seeking to unite the squad after criticizing recruitment, while Grêmio’s president backs the football department.
- When
- The comments followed the Gre-Nal 455 draw. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Grêmio, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Why
- Grêmio is fighting to avoid relegation from Série A, and Renato criticized the recruitment of foreign players without knowledge of Brazilian football.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Renato made strong comments that surprised people in the squad and club management.
GZH reported that Renato wanted to rally the squad and that the football department was not expected to change.
The squad was due to return in the afternoon.
Grêmio was due to play a match described as important in its fight to remain in Série A.
- Gre-Nal
- 455
- Relegation fight
- Renato said the next 40 days were key to keeping Grêmio out of Série B.
- Football department
- President Odorico Roman backed executive Paulo Pelaipe and vice-president Rafael Lima.
- Squad changes
- About 25 departures, 12 signings and promotions of young players.
- Recent form
- Grêmio had drawn three times since Renato returned.
What people are saying
With this group, we will get out of this.
I was hired to avoid relegation.
You have to hold that player’s record. You can’t simply bring that foreign player and put him here in the group.
Sources
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