With the solid performance of Flamengo, Filipe Luís, former left-back of the Brazilian National Team, has become an iconic figure at the club. Since returning to Brazil and joining Flamengo in 2019, Filipe Luís has helped the team win several titles, becoming an essential part of the club's history.
But how did he, a little over a year after his retirement as a player, take on the role of interim coach of Flamengo? In this article, BRG365 will take you through the journey of Filipe Luís, from his roots in youth football to his transformation into a world-class left-back and now, his career as a coach.
How Did Filipe Luís Start His Career?
Filipe Luís was born in Jaraguá do Sul, a city located in the state of Santa Catarina. His journey in football began early, standing out in youth futsal, which caught the attention of Figueirense. At just 17 years, he began his professional career, playing for two years with the Santa Catarina team before being signed by Ajax in the Netherlands.
Despite the signing, Filipe Luís did not get opportunities on Ajax's main team. Thus, he was loaned to Real Madrid Castilla, the B team of Real Madrid, where he began to make a name for himself in the Spanish scene. His good performance led him to Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, where he established himself as a starter and shone in La Liga.
The Brilliant Career in La Liga: Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea
His good phase at Deportivo La Coruña led to Filipe Luís being called up for the Brazilian National Team in 2009. His performance attracted the interest of Atlético de Madrid, which signed him in 2010. At the Spanish club, Filipe Luís experienced the best moment of his career, becoming one of the team's key players and gaining the trust of coach Diego Simeone.
During his time from 2010 to 2019 at Atlético de Madrid, Filipe Luís played 333 matches and won several important titles, including the Spanish Championship in 2013/14. He also had a brief stint at Chelsea in 2014/15, where he won the Premier League and the League Cup.
The Arrival at Flamengo
In 2019, Filipe Luís decided to end his career in Europe and return to Brazil to play for Flamengo. His adaptation to Brazilian football was quick, and he became a key player in the team, helping Flamengo win titles such as the Libertadores (2019 and 2022), the Brazilian Championship (2019 and 2020), and the Brazil Cup (2022). Filipe Luís played 175 matches for Flamengo, scoring 4 goals, and announced his retirement at the end of 2023.
From Player to Coach: The Beginning of Filipe Luís's Career
Filipe Luís's transition to coaching began in early 2024, when at the age of 39, he took on the role of interim coach of Flamengo after the dismissal of Tite. His retirement as a player occurred just over a year ago, and Filipe Luís began his coaching journey taking over the U-17 team of Flamengo.
In 13 matches, he achieved 11 wins and 2 losses, winning the U-17 Carioca Championship. He was then promoted to the U-20 team, where he also found great success, achieving 11 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, leading his team to win the U-20 Intercontinental Cup and the Club World Cup.
With Tite's departure, Filipe Luís was confirmed as the interim coach of the main team, taking on the responsibility of bringing the team back to the path of victories.
Main Titles of Filipe Luís as a Player
Figueirense:
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Catarinense Championship: 2003, 2004
Atlético de Madrid:
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Europa League: 2011/12, 2017/18
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Supercup of Europe: 2012, 2018
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La Liga: 2013/14
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Copa del Rey: 2012/13
Chelsea:
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Premier League: 2014/15
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League Cup: 2014/15
Flamengo:
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Libertadores: 2019, 2022
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South American Cup: 2020
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Brazilian Championship: 2019, 2020
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Brazil Cup: 2022
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Supercopa do Brasil: 2020, 2021
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Carioca Championship: 2020, 2021
Brazilian National Team:
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Confederations Cup: 2013
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Copa América: 2019
Filipe Luís as a Coach
Flamengo U-17:
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11 wins and 2 losses
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Title: U-17 Carioca Championship
Flamengo U-20:
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11 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses
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Titles: U-20 Intercontinental Cup and Club World Cup
As his coaching career develops, Filipe Luís will continue to influence the future of Flamengo, demonstrating his wisdom and experience in his new role.
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