 Tite would remain with the "Tricolor Gaúcho" until 2003, leaving the club after failing to lead the club to any substantial victory after the 2001 Copa do Brasil.Grêmio reached the third place at both the 2002 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the 2002 Copa Libertadores, but led Grêmio to a lackluster campaign during the year of 2003, which led to his departure from the club, exacerbated by his long spell as coach.Tite was hired by São Caetano do Sul club Associação Desportiva São Caetano in 2003, with the goal of taking the "azulão" to the Copa Libertadores qualifying zone.