World Cup winner reveals he turned down three offers from Flamengo | OneFootball

1994 World Cup Winner, Carlos Alberto Parreira Revealed He Was Close to Managing Flamengo

Identified with Fluminense, Carlos Alberto Parreira was close to managing Flamengo on three occasions. This was revealed by the coach himself in an interview given to ‘Basticast’. The former coach mentioned that he even received the former president of Mengão, Márcio Braga, at his home, but could not accept the invitation.

“I had three opportunities, but each time Flamengo invited me, I already had signed contracts with two foreign teams, and once with the Brazilian National Team,” he commented. Parreira, as a coach, led the Brazilian National Team to win the 1994 World Cup.

— Once, Márcio Braga (former president of Flamengo) spent an entire afternoon at my house, and I couldn't tell him that I had already signed with the Brazilian National Team because Ricardo Teixeira (former president of CBF) said no one could know. That was an order for me. I kept stalling, feeling unwell, unable to speak — he added.

WHAT ARE PARREIRA'S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS?

Currently 82 years old, Parreira made history in 1994 when he led the Brazilian National Team to their fourth championship. Additionally, the former coach has a Copa América and a Confederations Cup, in 2004 and 2005 respectively, with Adriano Imperador being decisive in both victories.

Despite reaching the top of the world, Parreira also experienced ‘dark times’. After all, the former coach led Fluminense to win the Brasileirão Série C in 1999. Of the four teams considered major in Rio de Janeiro, the Laranjeiras club is the only one that played in the third division.

WHO WAS PARREIRA'S GREAT PARTNER?

A loyal companion of Parreira throughout much of his career, including in the 1994 victory, Zagallo indeed made history at Flamengo. The ‘Old Wolf’ led Mengão in the unforgettable Pet goal of 2001, in the final of the Carioca against Vasco, as well as the Copa dos Campeões of the same year.

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