In just over a year as coach of Flamengo, Filipe Luís reached his fourth title with the red and black team by winning the Copa Libertadores this Saturday (29) over Palmeiras.
In an overwhelming start as coach, taking on the role after Tite’s departure, the team’s former full-back made a point of thanking Flamengo for the opportunity he received from the board to develop his work at Gávea.
“In my life I always thought about winning titles, I always thought big. And today Flamengo provides me with that. It provides not only me, but the players with this possibility. So I am very grateful to Flamengo. Flamengo doesn’t have to be grateful to me. The coach who sits in this chair here has to be very grateful to Flamengo, because Flamengo today provides the coach with a possibility to fight for titles”, stated the coach.
“Here the demand is infinite, but the joy is also equivalent. Since arriving at Flamengo, I have been very enlightened”, he added.
The Flamengo coach also dedicated the title won this Saturday to players who are no longer at the club, such as midfielder Gerson and full-back Wesley, and to those who were unable to play due to being injured, such as striker Pedro — with whom Filipe Luís had a public dispute in the middle of the year.
“Pedro is a very important player. This title is very dedicated to him for everything he did for us and for what he will continue to do”, said the red-and-black coach.
He took the moment to also remember and honor the ten young players from Flamengo’s youth teams who died in a fire at Ninho do Urubu, in 2019.
“It’s no coincidence that after this tragedy Flamengo managed to shine, have so many titles, so much success. Of course there are many other things besides, but I really believe in this strength”, said the coach.
“I feel like they are alive inside the club, inside me and I would like to send a hug to all the families.”
