Jorge Jesus moved by Flamengo, rues no return: “Things got hard” | OneFootball

Jorge Jesus spoke about Flamengo again after Portugal’s victory

A Flamengo icon, Jorge Jesus has not forgotten the club where he made history. This Sunday (27), the coach spoke about Rubro-Negro again after the 2-1 away win over Norway in the Nations League. The Mister opened his heart about Mengão and lamented the missed chance to return.

—It means a lot (Flamengo). Maybe the best period of my career as a club coach. It was a historic milestone, not only in sporting terms, but emotionally as well. The way the fans embraced me, showed me affection, I will never forget it. I always thought that one day I could return to Flamengo, but now I am sure that things have become more difficult— said Jorge Jesus in an interview with ‘ESPN’.

WHEN DID JORGE JESUS ALMOST RETURN?

Jorge Jesus left Flamengo in 2020 because of the pandemic, after winning five titles: the Libertadores, the Brasileirão, the Campeonato Carioca, the Supercopa do Brasil, and the Recopa Sudamericana. Later, Mengão ‘flirted’ with Mister on a few occasions.

The closest talks happened between 2022 and 2023. After the departures of Paulo Sousa, Dorival Júnior, and Vítor Pereira, Flamengo’s then vice president of football, Marcos Braz, even went to Jorge Jesus’ house on more than one occasion. However, Mister wanted to respect his contract with Benfica (POR) and did not leave.

In Paulo Sousa’s case, Jorge Jesus did not return to Flamengo by a matter of days. After all, Mengão reached an agreement with the former Poland national team coach just a few days before JJ was dismissed by Benfica. Now, at 72 years old and under contract with Portugal until December 2030, the red-and-black idol admits that fulfilling his wish of returning to where he is loved has become difficult.

HOW IS JORGE JESUS DOING?

After winning the Saudi league in the 2025/26 season, Jorge Jesus did not want to renew his contract. As a result, the former Flamengo coach left Al Nassr (SAU) and signed with the Portugal national team in July this year. So far, the start has been exciting.

In the first match, the team beat Wales 1-0. Then, this Sunday (27), Jorge Jesus’ team defeated Norway 2-1, right at the home of striker Erling Haaland, who had eliminated Brazil in the last FIFA World Cup, in the round of 16 of the tournament held in the United States.

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