The former Sevilla coach assures that training the current Libertadores champion “was my plan A”
Sampaoli points out that the quality of the ‘Mengao’ squad will allow him to put “my football principles” into practice
Jorge Sampaoli is now officially the coach of Flamengo until December 2025. The charismatic Argentine coach, who led Sevilla until March, was exultant at the presentation press conference in Rio de Janeiro, where he will command the current champion of the Copa Libertadores.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to come to this big club. There were many opportunities to be here, but it finally came to fruition. For me, at the moment, it was my plan A. I had offers from Europe and other places, but I decided to be here. On this occasion, all parties agreed and it could be done”highlighted ‘Sampa’ at a press conference.
Flamengo has the best squad in South American football. And his priorities, from now on, is to be able to link his particular ‘triplet’ that would be made up of revalidating the title of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil, and recovering the hegemony in the Brasileirao.
Our new commander was presented in this second (17), not Ninho do Urubu! Let’s go with all Sampaoli! ???⚫ #VamosFlamengo
?: Gilvan de Souza / CRF pic.twitter.com/Qox76nAajf
– Flamengo (@Flamengo) April 17, 2023
“Because of my characteristics, I don’t plan to prioritize anything, I only think about each game and each competition. We are going to do our best to try to win. For me, the most important thing is this, winning, the shield, the shirt and what it represents. Whether it’s a friendly or a final, Flamengo has to go in and give their best“, he indicated.
Sampaoli will not have time to prepare his team. On Wednesday night he will make his debut at Maracaná in the group stage match of the Libertadores against Ñublense, and, on the weekend, there is already the second day of the Brasileirao, where the cariocas will visit the Internacional, in Porto Alegre.
“Football never gives you the chance to choose. It is much better to start a cycle, but it happened this way, so our diagnosis has to be fast and accurate. When I decided to come here it was because of the quality of the footballers which allowed me to put my footballing principles into practice”, explained the Argentine coach, whoPreviously, he had already directed Santos (2019) and At. Mineiro (2020).
