Filipe Luís, former Brazilian full-back and current coach of Flamengo, celebrated his first year in charge of the Rio de Janeiro club. In this time, he has already claimed his first major title, the Copa do Brasil, after defeating Atlético Mineiro in the final. His growth and commitment as a coach have been remarkable, standing out for his rapid rise within the club.

A Meteoric Start and Challenges as a Coach

The former Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea player took over as coach of Flamengo’s U-17 team a year ago. After a brief stint with the U-20 team, he was called up to lead the first team in September, following Tite’s departure. He started as an interim coach, but his work convinced the club’s board, leading to a contract extension until the end of 2024.

In an interview, Filipe Luís expressed his satisfaction with his progress, highlighting the constant learning he seeks to improve as a coach. “I’m very happy with how everything’s going, and I hope to evolve more and more, learn more every day to be a better coach,” he said.

A Close Relationship with Players and Leadership in the Locker Room

One of the factors that has made Filipe’s transition to the Flamengo bench easier is his prior knowledge of the locker room. Many of the players he now coaches were his teammates until recently. Filipe shared: “I know this locker room very well, and the players have bought into my ideas. They know exactly how I see football, what I want, and what I expect from them.”

Although he is demanding on the pitch, Filipe Luís maintains a close and affectionate relationship with his players off the field. “But always putting the team above everything… Both they and I know there’s no one more important than the team,” he concluded.

The former full-back retired as a player in 2023, and less than a year later, he’s already leading one of Brazil’s biggest teams. With his leadership, Flamengo is aiming to keep adding titles under his guidance.