During 14 months as a professional coach, Filipe Luis won his fifth title with Flamengo. On Wednesday night, a 1-0 win over Ceara clinched Brazil’s fourth championship, four days after their fourth Libertadores win against Flamengo. The coach praised his pride in leading the group and said that they had made history.
– Really, I’m very happy. I didn’t realize it, because I’m already thinking about the next match. Everything is so fast, there’s not much time to celebrate. I told the players… I’ve been on the other side, there’s nothing like being a hero on the field… They made history. I believe in my heart. Top actors, by position, by sector. Numbers don’t lie, we are the best at everything. They won’t be able to enjoy it now, because we have a game on Wednesday, but when the years go by, they will see the history they made. They are immortal in the club. “I am very proud to be able to lead this group,” he said at the press conference.
Felipe points to his first appearance in the Intercontinental Cup, in Qatar, against Cruz Azul, next Wednesday. Flamengo will use an alternative team in the final round of the Brazilian Championship, against Mirasol, to focus on the tournament organized by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
The coach commented on the fact that he is Brazilian in a context where foreigners have had recent success. Stressing that it is not a “passport issue”, Felipe stressed that Rafael Goanés, from Mirasol, is the best for them in the country.
– Those who are studying do not have a passport. If you study, you will be able to apply this knowledge wherever you are. This year, for me, the best was Goan. It is a composed work and difficult to copy. Mirasol plays a lot. There is Artur Jorge, Jorge Jesus and Abel Ferreira, the best ever in the Brazilian championship. The one who challenged me the most was Kuka, with Atletico MG, in the Brazilian Cup. Brazilian coach. For me there is no passport.
The former left-back is finishing his first season in charge, and has made a transition as a professional during this period.
-I’ve changed a lot in the way I interact with players on a daily basis, convey content, and provide coaching. Today I see it differently. In that first year, there were moments of turmoil, as the good football did not arrive as the fans wanted. Here, a bad result does not forgive you, it is difficult to maintain, but we had players who, in the most difficult moments, put the ball under their arm and decided. The staff that made me a hero. I scroll the content, but in this field, they are the best.