Join us as we look back at Tite’s almost year-long spell at Flamengo and what to expect from Filipe Luís, who was coaching the U-20s and is now stepping up to lead the senior squad.
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Index
Tite’s Flamengo
Tite was hired in October 2023 with high expectations from the fans, given his impressive resume, which includes winning several titles with Corinthians, including the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup.
Tite also managed the Brazilian national team at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reaching the quarterfinals in both.
He took over Flamengo right after their loss in the Copa do Brasil final to São Paulo, which led to the sacking of Jorge Sampaoli, and finished the Brazilian Championship in 4th place.
In early 2023, Flamengo completely dominated the Campeonato Carioca, even fielding a youth team in some matches.
Throughout the Carioca Championship, Tite’s side conceded just one goal in 15 games, boasting an incredible average of 0.07 goals against per game. That goal came in the group stage against Nova Iguaçu, but Flamengo played that match with a completely reserve team, full of academy players.
In the final, they beat Nova Iguaçu 3-0 in the first leg and 1-0 in the second leg.
Photo: MARCELO DE JESUS/MDJPHOTOS/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
Expectations were high, especially defensively, as the team was rarely conceding goals early in the year.
In the Copa Libertadores group stage, Flamengo underperformed and finished second in Group E with 10 points, behind Bolívar, who had 13 points. In the round of 16, they eliminated Bolívar but were recently knocked out by Peñarol in the quarterfinals.
In the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo has its best shot at a trophy, as in the Brazilian Championship, leaders Botafogo are nine points ahead of the Rubro-Negro. Flamengo faces Corinthians on October 2nd in the Copa do Brasil semifinal, with Filipe Luís coaching from the sidelines.
In the Brasileirão, Tite’s Flamengo consistently ranked among the top teams but struggled for consistency, often trailing Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Fortaleza.
The star-studded squad, which was further strengthened throughout the year, raised hopes that they could perform better under Tite. However, as the season wore on, the team’s form deteriorated, partly due to the grueling Brazilian calendar, which led to several injuries. Currently, Luiz Araújo, Pedro, Viña, Cebolinha, and Michael are sidelined. In previous months, other key players, such as Arrascaeta, De La Cruz, and Gabigol, also suffered injuries.
With these injuries, Flamengo heavily invested in the transfer market, bringing in high-caliber players such as Alex Sandro, Carlos Alcaraz, Gonzalo Plata, and Michael, who has already picked up an injury.
In the end, Tite departs Flamengo with the Campeonato Carioca title, which is underwhelming considering the high expectations surrounding his tenure. He was widely regarded as the best Brazilian coach at the time.
Tite leaves Flamengo after 70 matches, with 42 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses.
Photo: Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images
Filipe Luís’s Flamengo
Former left-back Filipe Luís joined Flamengo in 2019 and won several titles, including the 2019 and 2022 Copa Libertadores, the 2019 and 2020 Brazilian Championships, and the 2022 Copa do Brasil, among others. He was a key figure in these competitions, known for his experience, game understanding, and tactical discipline.
In 2023, Filipe Luís announced his retirement from playing and began preparing for his coaching career, earning his B License after completing a course at the CBF Academy in 2023.
Filipe Luís’s first coaching role was with Flamengo’s U-17 team, where he won the U-17 Rio Cup. In that category, he managed 19 matches, securing 15 victories and suffering only four defeats.
He then took charge of the U-20s, albeit for a short spell. In 11 games, he recorded seven wins, one draw, and three losses with the Flamengo youth team. During this period, he won the U-20 Intercontinental Cup against Olympiacos from Greece at a packed Maracanã.
Following Tite’s departure, Filipe Luís and his staff were called up to take charge of Flamengo’s senior team.
Filipe Luís’s mission is to win the Copa do Brasil, with his first test coming against Corinthians in the semifinal on October 2nd. Additionally, he is tasked with securing, at the very least, a direct spot in the Copa Libertadores via the Brasileirão.
Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF
Written by Henry Miller.