Author: Soorya G
In a quick and concise meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes, Flamengo’s board said goodbye to coach Jorge Sampaoli. The decision comes just four days after the draw with São Paulo, which resulted in them losing the Copa do Brasil title.
Sampaoli, who initially had a contract with the club until the end of 2024, will be entitled to additional compensation, this time worth 1.8 million euros. The contract’s initial termination value was set at 2.5 million euros (R$13.3 million) and decreases with each day worked.
Representing Flamengo at Thursday’s meeting were vice-president of soccer Marcos Braz and executive director Bruno Spindel. Sampaoli’s representatives included his agent, Dani Monti, and coordinator Gabriel Andreata, who is also leaving the club.
The meeting was characterized as friendly and straightforward, since there were no major issues to be resolved.
As well as Sampaoli and Andreata, Cristian Roberto Aran, Diogo Meschine, Marcos Fernández, Nicolás Maidana and Ezequiel Scher are leaving Flamengo. Friday morning’s training session was led by Mário Jorge, coach of the U-20 team.
Jorge Sampaoli signed a contract with Flamengo on April 17 this year. During his time in charge, he managed the team in 39 matches and used 39 different line-ups, resulting in 20 wins, 11 draws and eight defeats. Tite is the favorite to replace Sampaoli, but the former national team coach has yet to make a statement about returning to work this year.
Tite was in charge of the Brazilian national team for several years until his departure following Brazil’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Although he has been linked to various positions, he has stayed away from the coaching circuit, and it is not yet known whether he will return to the post at Flamengo.
Sampaoli’s five-month spell at Flamengo was marked by a growing disagreement between him and the players, which was exacerbated by an argument between then fitness coach Pablo Fernández and Pedro in the dressing room at the Independência stadium after the win over Atlético Mineiro on July 29. In August, another incident occurred when Gerson and Varela exchanged punches during a team training session at the Ninho do Urubu facilities.
This abrupt decision reflects Flamengo’s dissatisfaction with their performance under Sampaoli, who failed to win any significant titles. The runners-up spot in the Copa do Brasil and early elimination from the Libertadores left the team far from contention for the Brazilian title.
The club is currently in seventh place, 11 points behind league leaders Botafogo. Their next game is against Bahia at the iconic Maracanã stadium.