WITH ELIMINATION AT LIBERTADORES, FLAMENGO ADDED 6 LOST TITLES IN THE YEAR

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.

The troubled relationship between Flamengo's football vice president, Marcos Braz, and striker Gabigol has been one of the factors that contributed to the loss of control in the locker room and the crisis at the club. This rupture between player and manager originated in a discussion in July and intensified, culminating in the end of a dialogue that had been going on since 2019.

This situation reflects a gradual wear and tear that Marcos Braz has been facing, marked by bad phases and minor problems that added up. The relationship with Gabigol was especially important for the football deputy, as the player had influence over the group of athletes and acted as a communication channel between the board and the players.

However, the relationship with other leaderships in the squad was not equally positive, and there was an internal division that hindered the ability of Marcos Braz to exert his influence and power in the locker room. According to internal information, there is a consensus that the arrival of new commanding voices, including a professional executive, is necessary.

The promotion of Gabigol to shirt number 10 and captain, carried out by president Rodolfo Landim, had with the intention of reinforcing the influence of the board in the management of the locker room. However, this strategy was unsuccessful, and Gabigol was unable to exercise an effective leadership role both inside and outside the club.

In this context, Flamengo's board is considering hiring a new executive to perform a more active role in the club's overhaul, which is planned for later in the season. In addition, the departure of Marcos Braz before the end of Landim's term, which occurs next year, has also been discussed as a possibility.