Author: Vishwajit Sawant
In a decision that has been in the making since before the runners-up spot in the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo should part company with Jorge Sampaoli in 2024. The club’s defeat in the title race only accelerated the process and now the board is deliberating the terms of Sampaoli’s departure. To break up with the coach, Flamengo will have to pay a fine of 1.5 million euros (approximately R$7.9 million).
When Sampaoli arrived at Flamengo in April, the contractual fine was originally set at 2.5 million euros, but was gradually reduced over the course of the contract, which runs until December 2024. Currently, the fine is 1.5 million euros.
The club’s president, Rodolfo Landim, vice-president of soccer Marcos Braz, executive director Bruno Spindel and Diogo Lemos, a member of the Football Council, called a meeting on Monday at Gávea to discuss the future direction of Flamengo’s soccer operations.
The soccer department is leaning towards an immediate change in the coaching staff, meaning that Sampaoli would leave and the coach for the 2024 season would take over. Given the lack of a permanent coaching staff, if an interim coach is needed, Mário Jorge, from the U-20 team, is the candidate of choice, similar to the transition from Vítor Pereira to Sampaoli.
Tite seems to be the favorite for the job of coach in 2024, since, according to initial plans, he intended to return to work in January. If Tite is ready to take charge of Flamengo this week, Sampaoli’s departure will be accelerated. Even in the absence of a formal agreement with Tite, the management recognizes that there is no longer an ideal environment for Sampaoli to continue.
Behind the scenes, this situation is similar to that of Paulo Sousa, whose dismissal was scheduled for June 5, 2022, after a 2-1 defeat to Fortaleza in the Maracanã, but was officially confirmed four days later. Flamengo were waiting for the green light from Dorival Júnior to sack Sousa, and this four-day break included scheduled commitments, such as a training session in Atibaia and a game against Bragantino, all of which took place amid considerable embarrassment.
Jorge Sampaoli’s imminent departure signifies a turning point for Flamengo, who are struggling to get back on their feet and look for new coaching prospects in their quest for success next season.