Tite remembers Emerson Sheik's arrival at Corinthians and highlights his campaign in his first spell at the club
- By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial
One of the greatest coaches in Corinthians history, Tite, recalled memorable moments from his career at the club during his participation in the Bate-Bola com Falcão program. In the chat, the coach spoke about the signing of Emerson Sheik in 2011 and also recalled his first spell at Timão, in 2004, when he took over the team in a delicate situation in the Brazilian Championship.
The most successful coach in Corinthians history, Tite led the club in 378 matches, recording 196 wins, 110 draws and 72 defeats. During his three spells at Parque São Jorge, he won six titles: the 2011 and 2015 Brazilian Championships, the Copa Libertadores and the 2012 Club World Cup, in addition to the Campeonato Paulista and the Recopa Sul-Americana in 2013.
Photo: Reproduction / Conmebol
Recalling the arrival of Emerson Sheik, Tite revealed that he sought references about the striker before signing. According to the coach, despite his reputation for being undisciplined, he received guarantees that the player would be important for the Corinthians squad.
"Before signing an athlete, we look for information about him on the field and about situations off the field. Because the more information I have, the better I can work with him. I remember thinking: When Sheik scores a goal, he's tough, he's tough, and he scored a lot of goals. Sheik played for Al-Ain, scored goals, lived in Dubai, called and said he couldn't train that day, and only showed up again two days later. One of the people I spoke to was Muricy.
He said he was a guy who worked his ass off and that, even in situations off the field, he responded with eye to eye, respect and reciprocity. And the guys said it would cause a problem [for Corinthians]. I said it wouldn't cause any problems, that it would be the solution. Emerson came."
In addition to highlighting the striker's attitude during his time at the club, Tite recalled an episode involving Emerson Sheik to exemplify the player's commitment. The coach said that, after a delay in training, the attacker arrived at the CT by helicopter to apologize and acknowledged the mistake.
"He arrived late once, twice. I continued training normally. Soon I hear a noise near the CT, there's a helipad there, and we're training. Then a guy [the Sheik] arrives next to me, quietly apologizing, saying he was late.
I looked at him and told him to get dressed, and then we would talk. I said that I knew he was a loyal guy and that he responded, that he was a leader, that he had to set an example, that he had a responsibility to the boys on the team and to the fans. He lowered his head and said I was right, he apologized, he disarmed me, you know? I said I only wanted one thing from him: that he arrive on time. If he wanted to come by helicopter, by ship, by anything, he just had to arrive on time. When he made a mistake, he had the greatness and character to say he made a mistake", he added.
The coach also looked back at his first spell at Corinthians, which began in 2004. On that occasion, he took over the team in second-to-last place in the Brazilian Championship and managed to lead the club to a place in the Copa Libertadores.
"It was a very memorable move, which I am very proud of. The way it was, the first trip there [Corinthians in 2004] was to recover a team that was in the relegation zone, they were second to last. They had just lost 5 x 0 to Athletico Paranaense at home. Throughout the entire campaign, we brought around 14 kids from the academy to create a younger and more competitive team, with less technical imposition, but more competitive. We reorganized the team and finished the championship in a Libertadores position. This [passage] was emblematic. Many fans of this generation say they are very grateful for that difficult moment."
The statements reinforce the historical connection between Tite and Corinthians. In addition to the titles won, the coach is remembered for the identification he built with the club and for his participation in different moments of the black and white history, from the team's recovery in 2004 to the most successful period, crowned with the victories of the Libertadores and the Club World Cup in 2012.
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Source: Timao Central