New Flamengo under-20 boss eyes closer link with first team | OneFootball

Marcelo Salazar knows coach Leonardo Jardim from their time at Al Hilal (SAU)

Flamengo introduced the new head coach of the under-20 team, Marcelo Salazar, on Wednesday morning (08) at Ninho do Urubu. During the press conference, the coach highlighted the possibility of doing integrated work between the youth setup and the professional team.

That is because Marcelo Salazar knows coach Leonardo Jardim from their time at Al Hilal (SAU). In this way, the new under-20 coach believes that communication with the manager of the professional team will not be a problem. In addition, Salazar stressed that he is arriving at Flamengo to contribute in whatever is best for the Rubro-Negro club.

What did Marcelo Salazar say?

— Integration depends on the professional department. They are at the top of the hierarchy. I have no problem at all, especially because I come from doing this same job there at Al Nassr, so I know Leonardo Jardim; we were already opponents when he was there at Al Hilal. I know Vieira and Barros, his two assistants, so communication will not be any problem. And I come here to adapt precisely to what Flamengo needs — he said, before adding:

— We come to serve Flamengo and we come to try to help these players be as well prepared as possible so that when the first team needs them, they get there and stay there. As you rightly mentioned, this break for the World Cup will be a good period for observation. I hope they make the most of it. Because training with Flamengo’s first team is an honor for any player, and for those who stay here, we will keep working precisely to try to make them as capable as possible of getting there and staying there — he concluded.

Who is Marcelo Salazar?

Born in Recife, the new head coach of Flamengo’s under-20 team holds Pro licenses from the CBF and Conmebol. Marcelo Salazar began his career in Arab football in 2017 and, in 2021, worked as an assistant coach for Al-Nassr’s first team (SAU). Until last month, the 47-year-old coach was in charge of the Saudi club’s under-21 team.

Does the coach already have a date for his debut?

Yes! In short, the new coach is already set to make his debut next Tuesday (09), when Flamengo faces Athletico-PR. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estádio da Gávea, in a match for the Under-20 Brasileirão.

With his debut for Flamengo in mind, Marcelo Salazar will get to know the Rubro-Negro squad this Wednesday (03). As a result, the coach will use the available time to adapt to the new working group before facing his first official challenge in charge of Fla.

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