Flamengo sack coach Filipe Luis after 8-0 win in shock move

March 3 : Flamengo sacked manager Filipe Luis just hours after an 8-0 victory over Madureira secured a place in the Rio de Janeiro state championship final in one of the most startling decisions in recent Brazilian football history.

The 40-year-old, a former defender with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, leaves despite presiding over one of the top-flight club's most successful ever spells.

However, his dismissal follows Flamengo's worst start to a season in a decade, including defeat by Corinthians in the Brazilian Super Cup and a loss to Lanus of Argentina in the South American Recopa last month.

Filipe took charge late in 2024 and leaves as Flamengo's second most successful coach, collecting five titles in little over a year. His haul included the Brazilian Cup in 2024 followed by a Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Championship double the following season.

Two months ago, Flamengo came close to ending 13 years of European dominance when they forced a shootout against Paris St Germain in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar.

PSG led through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's goal before Jorginho's spot kick levelled for Flamengo and the match finished 1-1 after extra time in mid-December.

PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saved four penalties as the French side edged the penalty shootout.

Filipe's bold, attacking approach in a remarkable 2025 season drew widespread praise and placed him on the radar of Europe's leading clubs.

He leaves after 101 matches - 63 wins, 23 draws and 15 defeats — a 69.9 per cent success rate — although five of those losses have come in 2026.

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