FIND OUT WHERE TO WATCH AND TIME OF FLAMENGO X HALCONES DE XALAPA, FOR THE CHAMPIONS FOUR FINAL

Filipe Luís is one of the "jewels" among Brazilian football coaches. With the red-and-black coach still in charge, the team maintains a real chance of winning the Brasileirão Betano and the Copa Libertadores . With 50 points from 22 matches, the club sits atop Série A and is solidifying itself as a top contender for the national cup.

According to information published by the newspaper “O Globo” this Wednesday (17), José Boto, Flamengo's football director, met with businessman Jorge Mendes to discuss the renewal of Filipe Luís' contract . According to journalist Diogo Dantas, the meeting led to a positive move towards the coach's permanence, although the official signing should only take place at the end of the year.

COACH REFUSED FENERBAHÇE'S OFFER

In recent weeks, Filipe Luís received an offer from Fenerbahçe of Turkey, but opted to remain with the Rio de Janeiro club. The board's plan is to extend his contract until the end of 2026, with the possibility of automatic renewal. President Bap intends to value the coach's work, who has maintained the same salary since leaving the youth academy to replace Tite in Flamengo 's first team.

FILIPE LUÍS'S CAREER AS A COACH

Filipe Luís is about to complete a year in charge of Flamengo . The coach took over the team on September 30, 2024, after Tite's dismissal, and has since collected titles: Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Carioca, and Supercopa do Brasil . The coach has played 65 games, with 43 wins, 16 draws, and only six losses, consolidating one of the club's most consistent campaigns in recent years.

NEXT CHALLENGE IN THE LIBERTADORES

Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, begins this Thursday (18) the dispute of the quarterfinals of the Libertadores against Estudiantes (ARG). The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with broadcast by ESPN (closed TV) and Disney+ (streaming).

Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone was yet another foreigner to recognize Flamengo's greatness . In an interview with TNT Sports, the Argentine praised the Rio de Janeiro club when asked about the "colchonera community" that has been forming at Ninho do Urubu.

Simeone praises Filipe Luís' Flamengo: "It's always beautiful to see them play"

When asked by journalist Fred Caldeira if he follows the Rubro-Negro's games, Simeone explained that he cannot watch due to the time difference , but highlighted the historical importance of Flamengo in Brazilian football.

"The truth is, I haven't been following Brazil's games, honestly, mainly because of the time difference, which is very late. But I always have a huge affection for Filipe Luís, Samu Lino, and Saúl . And Flamengo , the truth is, is a historic team in Brazil and around the world. It's always beautiful to watch them play," said the coach.

TIME ZONE AS AN OBSTACLE

In fact, the time difference is a barrier for those who live in Europe and want to follow Flamengo. The duel against Estudiantes (ARG), this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), will start at 2:30 am on Friday (19) in Madrid.

FILIPE LUÍS AND ATLÉTICO DE MADRID

Beyond the praise, Filipe Luís's future in European football remains a topic of discussion. The Flamengo coach was once the target of interest from Fenerbahçe (TUR), but he declined the offer. Some in the Spanish press and Atlético Madrid fans are also speculating about a possible link between the former full-back and Atlético Madrid , the club Simeone has been with for over 13 years.

If the Argentine leaves the team, the chances of rumors of a future approach to the Flamengo coach increase . Meanwhile, Filipe remains at Flamengo, seeking the biggest achievements of the 2025 season.

After investing nearly R$300 million in the last transfer window, Flamengo faced a behind-the-scenes episode involving its attempt to sign Mikey Johnston from West Bromwich . The Rio de Janeiro club intended to pay £5 million (approximately R$37 million) for the Irish striker, but the deal was vetoed by president Bap.

In an interview with the UOL portal, executive director José Boto stated that the timing of the negotiations influenced the fans' perception and ultimately derailed the deal. " I think it was a matter of timing, because if he hadn't been the first, if he had been between Saúl and Samuel Lino, the fans might have reacted differently. Obviously, the job of scouting is to bring in players nobody knows," Boto said.

Flamengo director criticizes Brazilian football management: "There is a deep-rooted culture..."

The Portuguese manager also emphasized that Brazilian clubs still need to change their hiring mindset. " There's a deep-rooted culture in Portugal that Brazil will have to adopt sooner or later . Many clubs will have to start managing more according to the team's real needs than to the media or fans," he stated.

JUNINHO WAS THE FIRST BET

José Boto's first signing, Juninho has only scored three goals in 27 appearances for Flamengo, starting seven of them. He has not played since the 1-1 draw with Ceará on August 3rd and has not been included in the squad.

ABOUT THAT...

With a reinforced squad, Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes, from Argentina , in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.