FORMER FLAMENGO COACH DEFENDS JOIA AND REVEALS ALMOST GIVING UP HIS CAREER DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AT NINHO

Mário Jorge spent eight years at in charge of the most diverse youth categories at Flamengo. Between jewels and great memories with titles, the coach experienced the most difficult moment of his career in February 2019, when the accommodation where 10 boys slept caught fire in Ninho do Urubu. He knew nine of them and needed support to move forward. Five years later, he won a Libertadores in the under-20s with one of the survivors, Rayan Lucas.

"It was the most difficult moment of my professional career. I thought about stopping and giving up. What would it be like to go through that place all The days? It wasn't easy, but our psychologists at the time [Duda and Michele] were fantastic, they gave me a lot of support and strength to continue. our 10'. There was a general mobilization and involvement.", said Mário Jorge.

Mário left Flamengo to take over the Saudi Arabian Under-17 team. Not before leaving the last "legacy" behind: the red-and-black's newest jewel is the boy Lorran, used mainly during the Copa América to replace Arrascaeta. His debut for the top team also marked the coach's first game in charge of the professional team, against Audax, in 2023.

"We had many memorable moments, but making Lorran's professional debut was special. It was my debut at Maracanã in the first team. Matheus França scored the goal and asked me to participate in the interview afterwards. Those were some of the memorable moments."

Mário Jorge defended Lorran. and preached patience The boy suffered pressure from the fans after some bad performances, but he has special attention from the committee so as not to feel the good or the bad phase.

"He's a talent, we have to be patient. Many Sometimes expectations are created and moments of instability happen to everyone. He is a fantastic boy, great in everyday life and will mature. Some athletes can do this sooner, others take a little more time. He can reach the highest level, but you need to be patient."

Professional under pressure

Flamengo tries to repeat the success of the base transition which he had with Mário Jorge now with Filipe Luís. The coach was important within the club's system to monitor and recommend the young people who would train with the professional. The mission was left to the former player, who took over the under-20 team.

"Everyone is important. But on a daily basis we had direct contact with the professional, mainly through Cléber Xavier and Luiz Carlos. Now at the base, with Noval and Gilberto. We had this collaboration to make decisions about which athletes would train professionally, go to the game. The relationship was very good and communication was very clear."

At the professional level, Mário Jorge managed Flamengo on an interim basis on eight occasions. There were three wins, four draws and one defeat. The best moment at the club, however, was winning the U20 Libertadores in March, against Boca Juniors.

"The first time was very difficult. Nervousness, anxiety and worry. Because it was a delicate moment post-Carioca Championship. But I had a lot of support to make decisions. The second time it was a little more 'calm', as there was already contact with the players and we had, between one game and the next, four training sessions. the opportunity to put some of our ideas forward and the games against Bahia and Corinthians were a great moment."