ATTENTION, TORCIDA! BENFICA DEFENDER CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO FLAMINGO

In an interview given after the defeat of Flamengoto Peñarol, 1-0, coach Tite was direct in responding to the boos received by the fans. The statement, marked by a frank tone, exposed the coach's pragmatic vision in relation to demanding fans and the pressure for results. “I respect the fans’ feelings. Of course I feel that (the boos), I'm human”, said Tite, recognizing the fans' frustration in the face of the setback.

Tite's speech reveals that he understands the role of fans as a fundamental part in the context of a club, especially in a team of great expression like Flamengo. By mentioning that the boos affect him as a human being, the coach demonstrates empathy, but does not fail to highlight that the only way to reverse this situation is with achievements on the field. “It can only be reversed in one way”, pointed out the coach.

The response reflects the experience of Titein dealing with pressure who follows the command of great teams in Brazilian football. With successful spells at clubs such as Corinthians, Grêmio and the Brazilian national team itself, the coach has a track record that puts him in a position to understand, perhaps like few others, the relationship between performance on the field and fans' expectations. For him, this connection is clear: “Do you know how to win fans? Do you know how I won over the fans of the other clubs I played for? Win an important title”, he declared.

The phrase highlights the centrality of titles in football, especially in mass clubs like Flamengo. In Brazil, the culture of results is intense, and Tite recognizes that fans have a limited tolerance for negative results. Winning titles, for him, is the key to gaining the support of the fans, and anything other than that results in discontent: “If not, bye.”

This last part of Tite's speech summarizes the characteristic impatience of demanding fans like Flamengo. The coach makes it clear that, without obtaining relevant trophies, the relationship with the fans deteriorates quickly. The pressure is constant and is part of the daily life of those who take on the leadership of top teams. Tite seems, however, to be aware of this scenario and how it needs to be faced.

Tite's statement came after a delicate moment for Flamengo. The defeat to Peñarol, at home, in a group stage match of the Copa Libertadores, raised alarm bells for fans and the coaching staff. Flamengo had high expectations for the season, especially after major reinforcements and the arrival of Tite, a coach with wide recognition on the national and international scene.

The pressure on Flamengo is nothing new. The club, which has one of the biggest fans in the world, is known for its high expectations for titles. The expensive squad, made up of renowned players, also increases this demand. Each stumble is widely covered by the media and amplifies the dissatisfaction of part of the fans, who demand immediate results.

The Copa Libertadores, in particular, has a important meaning for Flamengo and its fans. The continental tournament is seen as one of the club's main objectives each season. Any result other than victory can generate dissatisfaction and pressure on the technical committee, as occurred after the setback against Peñarol.

In this context, Tite's speech not only recognizes the fans' dissatisfaction, but also is realistic in relation to what is expected from a club like Flamengo. The demand for titles is part of the package when taking over a club of this size, and the coach seems to be aware of this when he points out that he will only be able to win the support of the fans with significant victories.

Maurício Gomes de Mattos, known as MGM, already has an agreement to hire Helena Costa as responsible for the scouting department, if Flamengo's next president is elected in the December election. The professional, with almost 20 years of experience in observing athletes, has already commanded the sector in renowned clubs such as Celtic (ESC), Eintracht Frankfurt (ALE) and Watford (ING).

Helena is available on the market since leaving the position of “chief scout” at Watford, where he worked from 2022 until the beginning of this year. It is the same position she will assume at Flamengo under MGM management. The information was released by journalist Bruno Andrade, from 'UOL'.

Graduated in Sports Science and initially a coach, Helena began her career in football in Benfica's youth categories. She had her first experience as a scout at Leixões in 2004, but also returned to command teams. Helena Costa coached several women's teams, including 1º de Outubro, Odivelas and the teams of Qatar and Iran.

As a coach, she won two national titles, two Portuguese Cups and one second division title. In 2014, she became the first woman to coach a men's team in France, managing Clermont Foot in the second division.

Her prominence in scouting athletes began in 2012, when she worked at Celtic, in Scotland, and continued with success at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, where the team left the bottom of the table and won the German Cup in 2018 and the Europa League in the 21/22 season. Helena participated in the signings of players such as Luka Jović, André Silva and Kostić, which were profitable for the club.

Currently commentating games on a Portuguese broadcaster, Helena accepted MGM's invitation to work at Flamengo and also contributed in the preparation of the candidate's Government Plan.

The election to define the next president of Flamengo is scheduled for December 9th , on a Monday, at 8am, in Gávea. Rodrigo Dunshee is the candidate supported by current president Rodolfo Landim, while MGM and Luiz Eduardo Baptista (Bap) are the main opponents so far.

Other candidates such as Wallim Vasconcellos, Pedro Paulo and Delair Dumbrosck also announced their applications. The tickets need to be registered between September 10th and 30th, and there are difficulties in gathering the necessary signatures, which can lead to surprises regarding compliance with the requirements by some candidates.