Chelsea flop named shock manager of 'biggest club in the country'

Tom Weber

Updated: 30 Sept 2024 15:54 BST
3 min read

Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis has been named interim head coach of Brazilian giants Flamengo.

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The Rio de Janeiro side, generally regarded as the biggest and most popular team in Brazil, are in turmoil as results have turned sour. After a promising start to the season under former national team boss Tite, results have nosedived in recent times.

Flamengo have only been able to win five of their past 15 matches and have crashed out of the Copa Libertadores to Uruguay-based Penarol. The latter result in particular caused friction with supporters and Tite found himself on the receiving end of boos and jeers against Athletico Paranaense on Sunday.

Despite the game ending in a 1-0 victory for Flamengo, the 63-year-old has been sacked and his replacement will be a familiar name to Chelsea fans.

We can confirm that Tite will no longer be our head coach. We thank him and his coaching staff for their time at the club, and wish them luck on any future endeavors. Filipe Luís will take over the role as an interim head coach.
— Flamengo (@Flamengo_en) September 30, 2024

Filipe Luis named Flamengo boss

Flamengo have announced that former Brazil defender Filipe Luis will take charge of the club on an interim basis for the time being. The former left-back ended his playing career with the club in January and had been in charge of Flamengo's U20s.

Now, the 39-year-old has been given the reins of the senior side, though it remains to be seen for how long. Luis, who won 44 caps with the Selecao, gained fame in Europe for two spells with Atletico Madrid either side of a disappointing one-year stint at Chelsea.

The left-back failed to supplant Cesar Azpilicueta at Stamford Bridge, though he can call himself a Premier League winner, having made a total of 26 appearances for the Blues.

As a youngster, Luis also had stints in the development teams of Ajax and Real Madrid. It remains to be seen whether this experience can translate into coaching success.

His first - and potentially only - game in charge will see him face Corinthians in the Copa do Brasil semi-final on Wednesday evening local time.