Maurício Gomes de Mattos explains his professionalization of Flamengo football

Candidate for president of Flamengo, Maurício Gomes de Mattos (MGM) detailed his project to reformulate the club's football department. If elected, the leader promises to eliminate the interference of amateurs in day-to-day management, including that of the president himself, and implement a technical director with “red-black DNA” as the main person responsible for the sector. The topic must be one of the subjects discussed in debate this Monday (18).

End of influence of amateur managers

Currently, Flamengo's organizational chart places the vice-president of Football as head of the department — role held by Marcos Braz since 2019. MGM intends to change this model, reducing the role of the vice president to an advisory board, which will help with planning and defining goals, but without decision-making power.

“There will be interference from amateurs over professionals. This is non-negotiable. I will have a technical director and another professional to interface between the Councils. What do I, Bap or Landim understand about football? If I talk, I'll get in the way. But, if you have an idol, for example, to talk to, to share what is being done... Then he will be this interface and also the spokesperson with the press. But I say this just to give an example, because I haven’t spoken to anyone yet”, said MGM in an interview with ‘O Globo’.

In the new format, the technical director will take command of professional football, base and, possibly, of women's football. The priority will be to bring in a professional who understands the red and black essence, marked by an offensive and dominant style of play, in addition to guaranteeing total autonomy for decisions.

“The hiring of this technical director will be discussed by the Board of Directors. We will choose based on the management plan for football. See what his profile is, if he has Flamengo's DNA, his style of play... We will have two or three pre-determined styles. Flamengo's style is like Argentine football, played forward, with marking in the opponent's field. The professional will have to understand all of this. I die with hatred when I see Flamengo retrained. I want a professional who doesn't listen to me, because everyone who has listened to presidents in recent times has failed. Even winning. I don’t want to win by failing, I want to win assertively.”

Profile and choice of technical director

MGM revealed that it has already started negotiations with potential names to fill the position, but chose not to disclose details before the election: “I'm not going to expose the name because it There is an occupation and we still haven't sat down to see values. But I have everything mapped out. We contacted ten people between Brazil and the world and we already have plans A, B and C.”

In addition, the new director will be responsible for assembling the entire work team, from the professional to the youth teams.

“This executive will command football and make the hires for his team. It will appoint a director for the base, one for scouting, one for health and performance… This is vital. Intervention by amateurs puts the department at risk. Why don't we put sports neuroscience in Flamengo? I want to add a psychologist, a psychiatrist... The current vice-president (Rodrigo Dunshee) said he doesn't need it, but we're going to implement it. I want to create a system where all the tools are together. Flamengo has to do its best in any sport. I want to put 4,000 seats in the Gávea stadium and create two boxes for the women's and youth games. I want to value the feminine”, defined the candidate.

Debate between candidates

Maurício Gomes de Mattos, Luiz Eduardo Baptista (Bap) and Rodrigo Dunshee will participate in a debate this Monday- fair (18), at 8pm, broadcast on ESPN. The meeting will be an opportunity for candidates to present their proposals and answer questions from fans and journalists.

Elections in December

The election to define the next president of Flamengo will take place on December 9th, in Gávea. The winner will assume the mandate for the three-year period 2025-2027. The dispute promises to be one of the fiercest in the club's recent history.