Gustavo Quinteros has officially begun his tenure as the new head coach of Gremio, one of Brazil's most prestigious football clubs, after leaving Vélez Sarsfield, where he guided the team to victory in the Liga Profesional 2024.
Quinteros was presented to the media on Monday afternoon, accompanied by Gremio’s vice president Alexandre Rossato and sporting director Guto Peixoto. The 59-year-old Argentinian, who is also bolivian by nationality, conveyed his excitement and expectations for his first role within Brazilian football during the initial press conference.
"When we finished playing the Argentine championship, Gremio contacted intermediaries and we were able to move quickly," Quinteros explained. He stressed the importance of clear mutual intentions, saying, "When the intention is on both sides, you can come to agreements quickly. We discussed the sporting objectives, which are very important to me, and the club thinks the same. I am very happy, excited, and motivated to arrive at such a big club, where I believe we should always be among the top positions. I admire Brazilian football greatly."
Quinteros recognized the challenge of stepping in after the respected Renato Gaúcho but is determined to craft his competitive team. He commented, "No doubt we will do our best here at Gremio. We know we are replacing a great coach, but we come with high hopes to take Gremio to the forefront and achieve significant outcomes."
Another focal point of the conference was Quinteros' assessment of the Brazilian league compared to the Argentine competition: "I believe the Argentine tournament is very complicated and tough. There are many teams proposing different styles of play, and you need to manage the games well. Brazil's league is the most competitive in the world. I've always wanted to reach Brazil as a manager," he said, highlighting the differences he noted between the two football styles.
At present, Quinteros is actively seeking reinforcements for the Gremio squad. He pointed out the urgent need for specific positions, such as full-backs, center-backs, midfielders, and wingers. "The board is working on reinforcements. The ideal situation is to have most of the squad ready as soon as possible. I hope the players we are discussing will arrive soon. We need depth, especially for the number of matches coming up," he added.
Quinteros' record showcases his capabilities, with 13 titles accumulated throughout his career across several countries, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina. Just prior to joining Gremio, he celebrated winning the Argentine league title with Vélez Sarsfield, marking their first championship win in over ten years.
On his aspirations for Gremio, Quinteros stated, "Our first goal is to form a competitive team playing good football, which will delight the fans. We need to show on the field what the supporters want to see. And then, of course, start the season with the aim of winning the upcoming state championship, as it’s extremely significant for the institution's history."
He also expressed his enthusiasm for engaging with the team, saying, "I know many players, having faced them before and communicated with some. I’m eager to get to know the guys, start working with them day by day. I have no doubt they are all good players and highly committed to the club. We need their dedication to extract the best from each of them and give their all for the Gremio shirt."
Quinteros concluded with an earnest message for Gremio’s supporters, stating, "To all Gremio fans, I’m Gustavo Quinteros. I want to greet you all. I’m very glad to be with this great club and highly motivated to start working. I promise you hard work and my commitment to the institution and to you, so together we can form a competitive team capable of bringing you, the fans, great joy, which is what matters most."
Quinteros will kick off his new chapter with Gremio starting the season, and the first challenge lies within the Torneio Gaúcho, where they are set to debut against Brasil de Pelotas on January 22. Expectations are high as he leads the historic club, who are on the hunt for their eighth consecutive state title. With a contract until December 31, 2025, the hopes of Gremio fans rest on his shoulders as they look forward to reinstilling their club among the elite of Brazilian football.