Flamengo still finds itself in a context of uncertainty regarding the permanence of coach Filipe Luís. Therefore, Rubro-Negro continues to keep other names on the radar if the outcome of the current negotiation does not end with the continuity of the partnership between the parties.
In addition to Artur Jorge and Leonardo Jardim, as became public in recent days, the Rio club is now working with a new perspective: the possible signing of Thiago Motta, 43 years old.
The former Italian-Brazilian player recently played for Juventus, in Italy, and is currently without a club, which would facilitate a possible negotiation. Thiago Motta’s name has gained strength internally.
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Thiago Motta’s experience as a coach
Thiago Motta was announced as coach of Genoa on October 22, 2019, a club he had already defended during his career as a player. Despite the positive start, his time at Genoa was short-lived. After an irregular sequence, he ended up being fired in December of the same year.
The resumption of his career took place in July 2021, when Motta became official as Spezia’s new coach. The coach signed a three-year contract and gained more stability to develop his work.
The big leap came at Bologna. In the 2023/24 season, his first full season at the helm of the team, Thiago Motta was elected Serie A Coach of the Month in February and March. Under his command, Bologna won a place in the Champions League for the first time since 1964/65 and ended Serie A among the top five. Even with the success, Motta informed the club, in May 2024, that he would not renew the contract.
Shortly afterwards, in June of the same year, he was announced as Juventus’ new commander, signing a three-year contract with the Turin club. However, the passage was interrupted earlier than expected. In March 2025, the Bianconeri confirmed the dismissal of Thiago Motta, less than a year after signing.
Thiago Motta’s numbers as a coach
PSG sub-19 (2018/19)
Genoa (2019/20)
Spezia (2021/22)
Bologna (2022/23 and 2023/24)
Juventus (2024/25)
Will Filipe Luís renew with Flamengo or not?
To date, negotiations between coach and club are still at a standstill. According to information from Rodrigo Mattos, from UOL, Flamengo believes that there is no longer a deadline for negotiations and that Filipe Luís must accept what was offered for the agreement to come to fruition.
The coach even stated that he would ask for a lower amount, but decided that his initial request was fair. He wishes to receive his salaries individually, separately from the coaching staff.
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Competition to take command of Flamengo
According to journalist Gilmar Ferreira, from Extra, the club started talks to sign Portuguese Leonardo Jardim. The 51-year-old technician is chosen to take on the project, and negotiations are ongoing.
Flamengo and Filipe Luis will no longer share the same roof. The parties did not reach an agreement to renew the contract that ends next Wednesday (31) and the club has already opened talks to sign the Portuguese Leonardo Jardim. The 51-year-old coach, who led Cruzeiro to… pic.twitter.com/qqOrjY13mh
— Gilmar Ferreira (@gilmarferreira) December 27, 2025
Journalist Rudy Galetti stated that Flamengo has a verbal agreement with Artur Jorge. Currently, the coach leads Al-Rayyan, from Qatar. The Portuguese coach would have made himself available to take over Fla if necessary.
In 2024, the Portuguese coach won the Libertadores da América and the Brasileirão with Botafogo. However, after that, the commander left the club.
In two seasons in Qatar, the 53-year-old coach took charge of 35 matches and achieved 21 victories. Currently, Al-Rayyan is third in the local league.
