Fluminense have significant plans for the upcoming season in 2022. After qualifying for the Copa Libertadores da América with a 7th-place finish, they reappointed a coach with a long history with the club, and becoming one of the most active teams on the market. Flu appear to be in a good position for the forthcoming season.
The Carioca association named Abel Braga as the new head coach for the fourth time in his career on December 15th. Marcao, who guided the team in the last stages of this year’s Brasileirão, will return to his position as permanent technical assistant. The coach’s contract isn’t for a certain amount of time, and there are no fees associated with cancelling it. This means that at any point, either person can end the partnership.
The coach’s most recent job was in Europe. He only stayed in Lugano, Switzerland, for three months, from June to September. During this time, he was the only Brazilian coach in charge of a first-division team in any of the European leagues. Lugano was ahead of Lugano by five points, with three victories and two losses. He had previously had a key position at Internacional, where he had already won the World Championship in 2006. He finished second in the 2020 Brazilian Championship in Colorado after losing the title to Flamengo in the final stages.
The story of Abel Braga at Fluminense
Abel had managed Tricolor for the first time in 2005 before joining for his fourth tenure at Fluminense. Between 2011 and 2013, again from 2017 to 2018, he returned to the job. Abel has a history with the club, having made his professional debut in 1971 at Tricolor das Laranjeiras. He was a defender for the club until 1976, when he retired. With 328 games under his belt, he is only second in Fluminense history after Zezé Moreira, who has 497 games under his belt.
Check the list below for all the titles won by Abel Braga at Fluminense as a player and as a coach.
As a player
- Champion of the 1971 Carioca Championship;
- Champion of the Carioca Championship in 1973;
- 1975 Carioca Championship Champion.
As a coach
- Champion of the Carioca Championship in 2005;
- Champion of the Carioca Championship in 2012;
- Champion of the Brazilian Championship of 2012.
Flu signings for the 2022 season
Fluminense are making every effort to improve the team for next season. The club’s new signings fit the profile of victorious and “husky” players, as they are known in football. Players like them are significant since they are accustomed to tremendous accomplishments and don’t feel the pressure of competing in such a prestigious tournament as the Libertadores.
On December 13th, Felipe Melo was the first name to be revealed. The 38-year-old midfielder and defender is coming off a fantastic tenure with Palmeiras, where he won the Libertadores in 2020 and 2021.
Willian “Migode,” a striker with Verdao, was another player who won the same titles. He finished at Fluminense as well. The athlete, who is 35 years old, was announced on December 21. He has also won the continental competition, which he retained for Corinthians in 2012.
Other names included are more experienced athletes with notable accomplishments on their resumes. Marcelo, a 33-year-old left-back who was formerly with Flu and is now with Real Madrid, and Ricardo Goulart, a 30-year-old offensive midfielder who was previously with Cruzeiro and is now playing in Chinese football. The first has won the Champions League four times for the Spanish team, while the second has won the Brasileirão twice with the Raposa.
Fans of Fluminense have great hopes for the upcoming season. Do you believe the Tricolor Carioca will be successful? Keep an eye on Sambafoot to keep up with the latest analysis and news from the major Brazilian clubs for the next season.
