Filipe Luís covers wages for Flamengo staff member | OneFootball

At the Start of His Coaching Career, Filipe Luís Even Paid Part of His Assistant’s Salary

In the final years of his career as a left-back, Filipe Luís already had his next step in life set: becoming a coach. His desire was so strong that he even paid part of the salary of assistant Ivan Palanco, a special request from the former player to join the Flamengo youth staff, where ‘Filipinho’ began his journey.

This interesting detail was revealed by Bruno Spindel, former executive at Flamengo. At the time, Filipe Luís paid part of the Spaniard’s salary while he was in charge of the U-17 and U-20 teams. However, when the staff was promoted to the professional squad, the situation changed.

WHAT DID SPINDEL SAY ABOUT FILIPE LUÍS?

— We had a commitment to give him the opportunity to have his first job as a coach in the Flamengo youth academy when he decided to retire (…) At the end of the year (2023), Filipe called us and let us know he had decided to stop playing. But he asked to be the one to announce the end of his career. And we asked him what he wanted for the future. He said he wanted to be a coach, and we reminded him of our commitment for him to coach the Flamengo youth. He agreed — Spindel told GE.

— He brought in Diogo (Linhares, fitness coach), Ivan (assistant). To understand the level of detail and Filipe’s determination in everything he does, Ivan was coming from Japan and had a different financial reality that didn’t match the Flamengo youth setup. And part of Ivan’s cost was paid by Filipe himself — he added.

WHEN DID FLAMENGO START PAYING PALANCO’S SALARY?

Filipe Luís started his journey in the youth ranks well and won titles such as the U-17 Rio Cup and the U-20 Club World Cup. Therefore, a chance with the professional team was just a matter of time, and it came in October last year, after the departure of the then head coach of the main squad.

— When Tite was dismissed, we called Filipe to be the coach. The contract negotiation took “five minutes.” He said it was his dream and that he would sign whatever contract we made. He said, “Whatever contract you draw up, I’ll sign it” (laughs). We made a 15-month contract because we really believed in him — the former executive recounted.

— He only asked to increase the number of assistants and said he could pay from his own money. But of course, we didn’t do that. We adjusted the contract as he requested. I’m sure he’ll be one of the greatest coaches of his generation and I’m sure he’ll coach the Brazilian national team one day — Spindel concluded.

WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE FOR FILIPE LUÍS AND PALANCO?

With Filipe Luís and Ivan Palanco having spent a year with the professional squad, Flamengo is aiming for another title after winning the 2024 Copa do Brasil, 2025 Supercopa, and 2025 Carioca. Next Wednesday (15th), Mengão will try to close the gap to leaders Palmeiras in the Brasileirão. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM (Brasília time) at Engenhão.

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