Castro is seeking autonomy in building the squad, with emphasis on data-driven recruitment
Luís Castro, 64, available since leaving Al-Wasl in November, has agreed to return to Brazilian football after managing Botafogo in 2022. The new Grêmio management seeks international experience and tactical renewal, with focus on youth development and data-driven recruitment strategies.
- Luís Castro, 64, available since leaving Al-Wasl in November 2025
- Two-year contract with option for third year; R$ 2 million monthly for technical staff
- Mano Menezes departed with 43.1% win rate over 41 matches
- Castro previously managed Botafogo in 2022, finishing second in Brazilian championship
- Pre-season training scheduled for January 2026
Grêmio advances negotiations with Portuguese coach Luís Castro for the 2026 season following Mano Menezes' departure. The two-year contract includes a R$ 2 million monthly budget for the technical staff.
Grêmio has moved decisively toward hiring Portuguese coach Luís Castro to lead the club into the 2026 season, with negotiations advancing sharply in recent days following the departure of Mano Menezes. On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, talks in Porto Alegre progressed substantially after Menezes's exit was confirmed the previous day. The framework under discussion calls for a two-year contract with an option to extend for a third year, carrying a monthly cost of approximately R$ 2 million to cover the entire technical staff.
Castro, 64, has been available since leaving the Saudi club Al-Wasl in November and has signaled genuine interest in returning to Brazilian football, where he previously managed Botafogo in 2022. The club's newly elected leadership, seeking a coach with international pedigree and tactical sophistication, views him as a fit for their ambitions. Formal discussions began Monday, with significant movement by Tuesday evening. The remaining work centers on contract clauses and the structure of his working relationship with the club—Castro is particularly focused on salary terms and autonomy in building the squad, with an emphasis on data-driven recruitment methods. Internal sentiment is optimistic, though final details still require refinement. A resolution is expected within days.
Mano Menezes received word of his non-renewal during a Tuesday morning meeting with the club's vice president of football. Over 41 matches, he compiled a 43.1% win rate—13 victories total—and secured Grêmio's place in the Copa Sul-Americana. His approach leaned defensive, which stabilized the team amid a difficult league campaign but constrained offensive potential. The new management, led by Odorico Roman, decided a change was necessary to align the project with their vision. Menezes responded professionally, expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
Castro brings substantial credentials. He directed Shakhtar Donetsk from 2018 to 2021, reaching the Europa League semifinals with an attacking, organized style. His 2022 stint at Botafogo produced a second-place finish in the Brazilian championship, built on ball possession and quick transitions. He spent time at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia through June 2025 and has logged more than 300 matches as a head coach with a win rate exceeding 50 percent in competitive settings. Beyond the dugout, he worked eight years as director of youth development at Porto, experience that aligns with Grêmio's stated interest in balancing immediate results with long-term player development.
The R$ 2 million monthly budget for Castro's technical staff positions Grêmio alongside other major Brazilian clubs in investment scale. The club projects revenues of R$ 241 million for the coming year, providing financial foundation for this commitment. Castro plans to bring six professionals, including Vítor Severino as an assistant coach—a specialist in transition tactics—along with fitness coaches Betinho and Nuno Cerdeira, video analyst Nuno Baptista, and goalkeeper coach Daniel Correia. The group emphasizes analytical methods and recovery protocols.
The club is simultaneously restructuring five other key positions within its football department, including a search for a head scout specializing in data analysis, a role vacant since Fernando Lázaro's departure. CEO of football operations Alex Leitão addressed the media Wednesday to outline the updated structure. Grêmio has rejected recent offers—including one from Botafogo for a defender—prioritizing player retention ahead of the pre-season.
Castro has already begun evaluating youth prospects, particularly under-17 players like Luis Eduardo, Tiaguinho, and Gabriel Mec, who competed in the youth World Cup. The club has achieved a 25 percent integration rate of academy players into recent senior squads, a figure the new coach will seek to build upon. Testing of young talent is planned during friendly matches scheduled for January in Porto Alegre. This emphasis on youth development represents both a cost-management strategy and a statement of identity—reducing reliance on external signings while reinforcing the club's connection to its academy pipeline.
Notable Quotes
Castro considers the Grêmio project attractive given the club's history in continental competitions— Club leadership (paraphrased from internal assessment)
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does Grêmio need someone like Castro now, specifically? What was broken that Mano Menezes couldn't fix?
Menezes was defensive-minded—he stabilized the ship but didn't open it up. The new leadership wants someone who can attack, who has European experience, who thinks about data and long-term structure. Castro did that at Botafogo and Shakhtar. It's not that Menezes failed; it's that the club's ambition shifted.
Two million reais a month is substantial. How does that compare to what they were paying before?
The source doesn't say what Menezes earned, but R$ 2 million for an entire technical staff—six people—is competitive with other big Brazilian clubs. It's a statement that they're serious about infrastructure, not just hiring a name.
Castro's been in Saudi Arabia and Ukraine. Why would he want to come back to Brazil, where the league is less stable financially?
He had success at Botafogo in 2022. He knows the country, the style of play. And Brazil still offers continental competition—Copa Libertadores, Copa Sul-Americana. For a coach his age with his record, it's a meaningful project, not a retirement gig.
The youth development angle—is that real or just marketing?
It seems real. They're already evaluating specific young players, planning to test them in January friendlies. A 25 percent integration rate from the academy is low, so there's room to improve. Castro has eight years of youth development experience at Porto. It's not just talk.
What happens if the final contract details don't get worked out?
The reporting suggests it's close—optimism is high internally. But these things can stall on autonomy clauses or salary specifics. If it falls apart, Grêmio would need to pivot quickly before pre-season in January. That's tight timing.