Diego says ‘final’ goodbye to Filipe Luís after ex-Flamengo joins new club | OneFootball

Filipe Luís will take over at Monaco (FRA); coach left Flamengo in March 2026

Former Flamengo player Diego Ribas posted a farewell message for Filipe Luís this Thursday (18). The post marks the reunion of the historic quartet made up of Ribas, Filipe Luís, Éverton Ribeiro and Rodrigo Caio, key players in Mengão’s magical 2019 season.

The group has remained close friends even after the end of their time at the red-and-black club. “Yesterday was the final ‘see you later’ for this family that will be greatly missed in our daily lives,” Diego Ribas began in a post on social media.

“Our hearts are heavy, but we are also very happy and grateful for the special and historic time we shared together in the marvelous city. May this new chapter bring many victories, joys, challenges, and unity! We love you,” he concluded.

View this photo on Instagram   A post shared by Diego Ribas da Cunha (@diegoribas10)

FILIPE LUÍS MONACO’S NEW HEAD COACH?

Filipe Luís will soon take over as head coach of Monaco (FRA). The Brazilian agreed to a two-season contract, running through June 2028. The deal was led by Thiago Scuro, the French club’s sporting director. The former full-back replaces Sébastien Pocognoli in charge of the team.

HOW DID HIS SPELL AT FLAMENGO GO?

The red-and-black idol began his coaching career with Flamengo’s youth ranks right after retiring from the pitch in 2024. Shortly afterward, he took over the first team and racked up major achievements. The coach won important trophies, including the Copa do Brasil, Supercopa do Brasil, Campeonato Carioca, Brasileirão, Libertadores, Derby of the Americas and the Challenger Cup.

In 101 matches as Flamengo coach, Filipe Luís recorded 64 wins, 22 draws and 15 losses, numbers that represent a 70% success rate. However, a drop in performance at the start of 2026, after runner-up finishes in the Supercopa do Brasil and the Recopa Sudamericana, culminated in his dismissal. The decision came right after the 8-0 thrashing of Madureira in the semifinal of the Carioca Championship on March 4, 2026.

WHICH CLUBS WERE IN THE RACE TO SIGN FILIPE LUÍS?

Monaco beat out competition from several major European clubs to secure Filipe Luís’s arrival. Benfica (POR), Besiktas (TUR), Fenerbahce (TUR) and Bayer Leverkusen (GER) tracked the coach. In addition, Chelsea (ENG) also emerged as one of the rumored destinations before the definitive agreement with the Principality club.

WHAT WILL THE CHALLENGE IN FRENCH FOOTBALL BE LIKE?

The experience at Monaco marks Filipe Luís’s debut as a coach in Europe. As such, the former Flamengo man will have a strong squad at the club.

The group features well-known names such as midfielder Paul Pogba, forward Balogun, and Brazilians Caio Henrique and Vanderson. In short, the signing aims to restore the team to prominence after a seventh-place finish in the French league.

The coaching staff will be lean in this new venture. Only one assistant coach and one fitness coach will accompany the Brazilian upon his arrival in France. Rodrigo Caio, his longtime partner at Flamengo, is not part of the staff in this international transition.

A LONGSTANDING FRIENDSHIP?

The farewell atmosphere in Brazil overflows with gratitude, while Diego Ribas’s message reinforces bonds strengthened by years of living and working together. Now, Filipe Luís is ‘laying the groundwork’ for the challenge in French football, carrying with him the baggage of success at Flamengo as he tries to implement a winning style of play on European pitches.

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