“Flamengo don’t call, they summon”: new U20 boss on return after 25 years

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·3 June 2026

“Flamengo don’t call, they summon”: new U20 boss on return after 25 years

Marcelo Salazar is the new head coach of Flamengo’s under-20 team

Flamengo introduced head coach Marcelo Salazar this Wednesday (03) as the new manager of the under-20 team. Formerly a youth coach at Al Nassr (SAU), the professional returned to Brazil after 25 years and highlighted the significance of receiving an invitation from the Rubro-Negro club.

It’s been 25 years away from Brazil. I left in April 2001, and I’m returning because Flamengo doesn’t call, Flamengo summons. From the very first moment Alfredo called me, as he said, the interest was mutual. I came here because I wanted to. I want to be here at Flamengo, I want to be with Flamengo’s under-20 team. It’s a unique opportunity in my career, and I believe that all the experiences I’ve had over these 25 years have enabled me to see football in a 360-degree way. I’ve been on the field, then off the field, I worked in scouting because it was an area I was very curious about, and I think it also adds to my work as a coach. My goal was always to be a coach. My time off the field was also an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, but that scouting experience really trained my eye in observing players. As I said, I came here to help Flamengo win, to grow, and I’m available in every area where Flamengo wants to use me. All of our knowledge is at Flamengo’s disposal,” Marcelo Salazar concluded.

Who is Marcelo Salazar, Flamengo’s new coach?

Born in Recife, Flamengo’s new head coach holds Pro licenses from both the CBF and Conmebol. In other words, if necessary, he can manage Fla’s first team. In addition, Marcelo Salazar began his journey in Arab football in 2017 and, in 2021, worked as an assistant coach for Al-Nassr’s first team.

OneFootball Videos

Thus, Marcelo Salazar signed a contract with Flamengo through December 2027. Alongside the coach, the Rubro-Negro also finalized the arrival of assistant coach Sandro Sargentim to join the category’s technical staff.

When is Flamengo’s under-20 team’s next match?

Marcelo Salazar already has a date for his debut as Flamengo coach. The Crias do Ninho return to the field next Tuesday (09) to face Athletico-PR at 3:00 p.m. (Brasília time) at Gávea, in the 15th round of the Under-20 Brasileirão.

With the arrival of the new coach, Flamengo is looking to regain its best form in the Under-20 Brasileirão, as the team currently sits only in 10th place in the table, with 21 points. In addition, Mengão has two wins in its last six matches in the competition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.