time. One of the most uncertain factors in Brazilian football. Let the coaches say so, whose longevity depends much more on results than on the utopian idea of the sporting enterprise. At the moment, there are few names that can continue to operate beyond a year, for example, but the brand usually rewards clubs that stay true to the model. No wonder the two current main teams, Palmeiras and Flamengo, will compete in the Libertadores final in Lima today, starting at 6pm (Brasilia time), in a generational clash that mirrors Abel Ferreira and Filipe Luis.
Two former players with different careers in Europe today lead projects of very different standards, but they are close because of their longevity. At the end of October, the Portuguese completed five years at the helm of Alverde, something completely out of the ordinary by national standards, and a commitment that has no expiration date. The Brazilian completed “only” one season in charge of the Red and Black back in September, but when it comes to this club, that’s an achievement for a very select group.
Abel Ferreira knows all too well the challenge that awaits us this weekend. After all, two of his 10 titles at Palmeiras were the eternal glory achieved in 2020 – the final was played at the start of the following year, due to the coronavirus pandemic – and 2021 (this one, against tonight’s opponent). To make São Paulo a regular participant in continental decisions and consolidate it as a perennial favorite, the coach often exercised the ability to innovate.
Under him, names such as Gustavo Gomez, Rafael Vega and Weaverton – injured and unlikely to play – became stars, but most of the squad changed. Continental title champions Breno Lopez and Deverson moved on to other clubs, as did academy gems Endrek and Estevao. Vitor Roque, Flaco Lopez and their teammates arrived. Often times, orders to recast have to come from a long-time leader, because long-time can also act as a villain, by saturating relationships — even with fans.
At the moment, Palmeiras does not hold any title, and the hostility it received in the elimination against Corinthians, in this year’s Brazilian Cup, left the coach clearly hurt. But nothing affects its continuity, although it has previously rejected some proposals, most notably the proposal presented by Qatar’s Al-Sadd in 2024.
– My word is worth more than a signature. I didn’t need to sign in January or December to say I was continuing. “If I had been different, I would have left a long time ago, but I decided to stay in Palmeiras with my family,” he told the GE website on Thursday. – The president (Leila Pereira) wanted me to stay. I have no problem saying that I will continue at Palmeiras, this point. In the five years of relationships we’ve had, I don’t need a contract to say whether I’ll continue or not.
Criticisms surrounding the coach’s work usually revolve around the difficulty of building a creative repertoire and overly defensive play. This became even more evident at this time due to the strong investment in the team and a string of five matches without wins, which probably cost them the Brazilian League title. But if there is one thing that never fails to influence Palestinian beliefs, it is the slogan “Cold head, warm heart.” Especially in the finals, when the team seems to have inexhaustible energy. This is a credit to Abel.
The former defender, who enjoyed a secret career as a player and coach in European football, arrived from Greece’s PAOK to become one of the greatest names ever at Palmeiras. In addition to the two Libertadores, there were two Brazilian players, one in the Copa do Brasil, one in the Brazilian Super Cup, one in the Recopa Sul Americana, and three in the Paulista Championship. If the club becomes the first Brazilian to win a continental title four times, it will make the biggest leap forward in history.
– I felt the support of the fans from the first day of my arrival – Abel said yesterday in Lima, at a press conference. – It’s almost like a relationship, a marriage that’s being built. We’re talking about 15 finals, 10 titles won, plus one final. You have built a very strong relationship, and today this affection is mutual no matter what happens in the future.
For Filipe Luis, the decision has everything to do with the news. The former left-back was launched as a professional coach just over a year ago, was on the pitch in the 2019 and 2022 victories and was vice-president of Palmeiras himself in 2021. Now, it’s time to try and lead Flamengo to the Libertadores title as captain of a team that still includes many of his former teammates.
This locker room familiarity is the thing that makes time more relative for the player who arrived in Rio in 2019, after years of success at European teams such as Atletico Madrid. From that moment on, Felipe already showed his desire to become a coach. The transformation was more sudden and natural than many had imagined.
After retiring at the end of 2023, he made passes through the Under-17s and Under-20s before being invited to take over as a professional, with Tite’s departure. From then on, a period of success and exceptionalism began for Flamengo. The success is due to the three titles won in a short time – the Copa do Brasil, the Supercopa do Brasil and the Camponato Carioca – and the exception because Felipe managed to become one of the few at the club to spend a year as a coach in the 21st century.
Before him, only Jorge Jesus, Ze Ricardo, Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Ney Franco. The trend is also to be the first person since Luxa, in 2011, to open and close the year in office.
Among the factors that explain Felipe’s success, one of the main ones is surely the vast tactical knowledge and hard-working personality he has brought since his playing days. Once he took charge of Flamengo, the locker room embraced him and made the team respond on the pitch with a more attacking game, close to what the fans always demand. The fact that he is an idol on the field, and carrying on his legacy, creates an identification factor.
However, time is something that can still falter. Lack of experience in the role has already been accused in some situations that only appear with experience, and the criticisms mainly arise due to the supposed lack of solutions within specific games and the “stubbornness” in sticking to players who play tactical roles, but are not interesting due to their performance.
The truth is that the board of directors treats the young coach as the future of Flamengo, and talk about renewing his contract – which expires at the end of the year – has been going on for months. Induction should only take place at the end of the season, i.e. a matter of time. A title of the size of the Libertadores, added to the potential victory of the Brazilians, would put Felipe on another level.
“And football is like this: fast,” he said yesterday in Lima. -I really believe in myself, what I do, and the ambition I have. That is why I do not look back, but only forward.