There cannot be many managers in world football at any level who have been dismissed after a victory, let alone after an 8-0 win.
Yet that is exactly what happened to Flamengo manager Filipe Luis following his side’s emphatic 8-0 victory over Madureira in the Campeonato Carioca semi-final.
In a result that should have represented total dominance and progression with confidence, it instead marked the end of his spell in charge, in what can only be described as one of the most surprising managerial decisions in recent Brazilian football history.
It appears the decision had already been made before the ball was even kicked.
Flamengo’s disappointment in the Supercopa do Brasil defeat to Corinthians, followed by the aggregate loss to Lanus after extra time in the Recopa Sudamericana, had already shifted the mood around the club.
Reports midweek suggested some fans were warning that “if you try to make our side like a European team, you will be the first one out of the door.” But that criticism feels slightly misplaced. If there is a desire to modernise structures or adopt a more European model in how the club operates, that tends to come from boardroom level, not solely from the manager.
It all feels like a very peculiar decision from the Rubro Negro board, especially when you look at what Luis has achieved during his time in charge.
Since stepping up to lead the first team in 2024, he transformed Flamengo into not just one of the strongest sides in Brazil, but in South America.
Across 100 matches in charge, he built a side that won 63 matches, drawing 22 and losing just 15, maintaining an impressive win percentage.
The silverware speaks for itself. Under his leadership, Flamengo lifted the Supercopa do Brasil, Copa do Brasil, the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao, as well as securing success in the Campeonato Carioca.
That is not failure. That is stability. That is success.
Yes, Flamengo possess one of the strongest squads in Brazil and across South America. But managing that squad is another challenge entirely. The expectation is relentless. The fan base is enormous. The pressure is constant. Many managers have arrived with reputations and departed having struggled to cope with the demands.
Filipe Luis, perhaps more than most, understood what Flamengo means. He knew the culture, the expectation and the intensity. To remove him at this stage does not just feel abrupt — it feels unnecessarily disruptive for a club that, on the pitch at least, was far from broken.
Unhappy Rubro Negro fans at style of play?
Online forums have suggested that sections of the fanbase were unhappy with Luis’ perceived reliance on set pieces and game management to see matches out.
That criticism feels somewhat ironic.
When he first took charge, Flamengo were praised for playing progressive, front-foot football. They were aggressive, energetic and proactive in possession.
That identity did not suddenly disappear. But as the stakes grew higher, particularly in knockout competitions, the approach inevitably became more pragmatic.
Even in the Copa Libertadores final, it was a set-piece goal that ultimately decided the contest. But finals are often cagey affairs. Margins are tight. One moment, one delivery, one lapse in concentration can define history. That is not a flaw in coaching; it is understanding the context of elite football.
It seems bizarre to dismiss a manager for finding ways to win.
Brazil is one of the most competitive and physically demanding leagues in the world. Travel is brutal, fixture congestion is relentless, and the margins between the top sides are thin. In that environment, set pieces are not a weakness; they are a weapon.
Of course, every fan wants fluid attacking phases and goals carved open through intricate play. But modern football demands balance. You need open-play creativity and efficiency from dead-ball situations. In fact, generating set pieces often comes from sustained attacking pressure in the first place.
To criticise a manager for utilising every possible avenue to secure victories, especially when those victories have delivered major trophies, feels more emotional than analytical.
Winning is rarely pretty all the time. But winning consistently, particularly in Brazil, is no small achievement.
Flamengo are one of the dominant forces in Brazilian football. Naturally, when you carry that status, most opponents are not going to open up and trade punches. They are going to sit deep, defend in numbers and look to frustrate.
In that context, set pieces are not a fallback plan. They are a crucial weapon.
When teams drop into low blocks and reduce space between the lines, breaking them down in open play becomes far more difficult. Corners, wide free kicks and second phases suddenly become decisive moments. That is not negative football; it is intelligent adaptation.
Would fans prefer Flamengo to go gung-ho, commit numbers forward and leave themselves exposed to counter-attacks? In Brazilian football, that can be punished in seconds. The margins are too fine.
Or is it better to control the game, manage the tempo and grind out results when required?
Elite sides across the world win in different ways. Sometimes it is free-flowing attacking football. Other times it is a cagey 1-0, decided by a set piece. The key is not how you win every single time — it is that you win consistently.
For a team that faces defensive opposition week in, week out, efficiency from dead-ball situations is not a weakness. It is a necessity.
What next for Flamengo?
After searching for stability since the departure of Jorge Jesus, it felt like Flamengo had finally found a sustainable project under Luis.
Now, however, they are back in the market for another manager.
The current leading candidate is Leonardo Jardim. The Portuguese coach is a free agent after his stint with Cruzeiro in 2025, where he guided them to a third-place finish.
Reports in Brazil suggest negotiations are already at an advanced stage, with his representatives expected in Rio de Janeiro to finalise terms.
Why Leonardo Jardim?
The answer is simple: pedigree.
He is a manager with a proven track record at the highest level. He famously guided Monaco to a Ligue 1 title, breaking Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance, and also led Al Hilal to AFC Champions League success. He has experience handling pressure, managing high-profile squads and competing in demanding environments.
According to Globo, Jardim has been on Flamengo’s radar since late last year, suggesting this is not a rushed name pulled from nowhere, but a profile the board have been monitoring for some time.
If appointed, it would represent another shift in direction, bringing in an experienced European coach with continental success on his CV. The question now is whether that pedigree translates into the consistency Flamengo are so clearly chasing.