Flamengo coach announces he will pursue a solo career and celebrates the players' support: 'They ran for me and still run for me today'
Clícia Oliveira, Eduardo Peixoto and Rodrigo Benchimol Rio de Janeiro
The rare filet mignon and rice were easy to digest. It was hard having to bow his head and swallow embarrassing situations during his time as an assistant. But Andrade didn't give up on his dream and believed that one day he would have the opportunity to showcase his work at Flamengo.
The opportunity arrived in July of this year, with Cuca's dismissal. Having been on the club's coaching staff since 2004, the former player once again imagined he would stay for a temporary term. However, the leadership team changed. So did the philosophy. They placed their bets on the "mystical homegrown talent" on the coaching staff. Andrade received support from Marcelo Salles and other talent trained at Gávea. He has the respect of the players and one certainty: the group is behind him. "Our coaching staff is very close-knit. Even when someone arrives upset, we notice. My relationship with Andrade on a daily basis is excellent. The chemistry is essential," said assistant coach Marcelo Salles. "The results bear witness to this." Flamengo has moved from the middle of the table to the brink of the top four with 4 points. This Sunday, they face leaders Palmeiras at Palestra Itália. Before that, however, the coach faced the bleeding steak ("the ox is alive", joked Andrade) and had lunch with GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro.\
In the restaurant next door was Carlinhos, Brazilian champion in 1987 and 1992 with the Rubro-Negro, and a role model for Andrade. So much so that he reveals that, from now on, he will no longer be an assistant coach.
GLOBOESPORTE.COM: Can you do a mini-assessment from July onwards?\ Andrade: It's been two and a half months, but it feels like a year. A lot has happened in this short space of time (laughs). We had a great start, then injuries and bookings started to crop up, and then the turmoil began. We lost three straight games, and I started to be questioned and challenged. Some people started saying I wasn't ready, that it was too early to make the move. It was tough, but I got through it. What factors contributed to enduring the period of defeats?\
From the moment Álvaro and Maldonado arrived, and Léo Moura returned, we were able to turn things around. Perhaps if it weren't for Marcos Braz (vice president of football), I wouldn't be here. He was patient and believed in my work. Maybe if it were anyone else, they would have hired a coach, and I'd be back as an assistant coach. Would you accept returning to be Flamengo's assistant coach? \
I think I have to pursue my solo career now. Going back to being an assistant would be a step back, and I need to look forward. I've proven what I had to prove, so I think it would be very difficult to return. But in 2004, after being made permanent, you were replaced by Júlio César Leal and returned to your assistant role. Why?\ I had a group that wasn't close to me. That's the most important thing. The players have to believe what you say, and there has to be an exchange of trust. And I felt that group wasn't close and would hardly work out. It was time to take a step back to get to where I am today.\ And is the cast different now?\ Totally different. The group accepted me, and little by little I gained their trust. There was a reciprocity. I trust them, and they trust me. It became easier to work. They gave me the time I needed, and that was crucial to making it work.\ To be a coach, is it necessary to have the leadership's sympathy? \
If you have the support of the leaders, things will flow naturally. Even at this difficult time, I wasn't questioned by the board or the players, and the results showed. We took over the team in 11th place and we're in sixth, one step away from the top four. Of course, there's still a long way to go. What was it like to receive the news that you would once again be interim manager at Flamengo?First, I didn't expect to take over. The coach was Cuca, and he was strengthened by Kleber Leite (former vice president of football). But there was a change, and they said I would manage the team against Santos. But I knew they were looking for someone else. But then Kleber left. We won at Vila, broke the taboo, and Marcos Braz arrived. From the moment I took over, I realized the group was close and wanted me to be permanent. They rallied around me and still rallied around me today.
And did the new vice believe in you?He said I would stay against Atlético-MG and added: "You're not just going to make a mess, I'm going to give you a steak too." He was referring to the game against Náutico. Then you see how funny life is. We choked on the steak (a 1-1 draw) and against Atlético, who were leading, we won.
Vice President Delair Dumbrock recently praised the in-house coaching staff. How important is this trait?
We had the advantage of knowing the entire club. We knew the carpentry staff, the pool staff, the bar staff... And it takes time for outsiders to get used to it. We knew each player's personality, and there was a risk that an outside coach might take time to adapt. We knew what the group needed. And it worked. A perfect fit was formed between the coaching staff and the players.
But since 2004 there have been some moments when you haven't been happy at Gávea...
This is part of everyday life. I've had some embarrassing episodes, but in life, you have to face them. Everyone faces the obstacles I've faced. Sometimes I thought: I didn't have to go through this. I heard some things that, given my history at Flamengo, made me feel disrespected. But I endured it, I endured it to get here.
Is swallowing a frog part of it?
It does, and as it's part of it... There came a time when I asked myself: what am I doing here? But I stayed. I believed, I persisted, and through perseverance I was able to demonstrate my worth.
One of these episodes in which you felt disrespected was during the classic against Fluminense Taça Guanabara in 2005. What happened?
It was an awkward situation. Cuca arrived as coach, could have taken over, but said he didn't want to. He didn't even show up for the pre-match talk, even though I gave him a chance. But we went to the game, which wasn't worth much, just the morale. At halftime, Anderson Barros came down with Cuca and said, "He's taking over." But by then, I had already made the substitutions. Imagine the situation I found myself in? I had to back out. It was embarrassing for me. He probably didn't notice.
Did you still have the energy to return for the second half?
I was so upset that I almost walked out. The only reason I didn't do it was because I wouldn't have a coach on the sidelines. I had signed the scoresheet. When the game ended, Cuca went to the press conference room, and I left. I had nothing else to do there.
What's up?
I ran into Anderson Barros outside the Maracanã stadium, and he asked me, "Everyone was looking for you to give an interview." I replied, "I have no business in the press room." But I overcame these situations because I'm not a resentful person. I don't hold a grudge against anyone. I'm telling you because it upset me and would upset any professional. It was unnecessary.
During your time as an assistant, you worked with several coaches. What did you learn from each of them?
I learned from several coaches. Abel, Celso Roth, Ney Franco, PC Gusmão, Ricardo Gomes, Joel Santana... I learned a little from each of them. Ney Franco's calmness, Celso Roth's discipline, Abelão's demeanor, and Joel's extroverted way of dealing with the group. Each one teaches something different.
Right from your debut against Santos, there was a pro-Andrade spirit on the team. When Adriano tied the game, everyone ran to hug you. Was there a pact?
From the moment I took over, I realized the group was closed and wanted me to be permanent. They rallied around me and still do today. Not just for me, but for Marcelo (Salles, assistant) and the entire committee. They know that if we don't work out, another professional could come in and suddenly the chemistry won't be there.
The tears at the end of the game also left a lasting impression.
And the crying wasn't even about the game itself, but about the death of a teammate, (former goalkeeper) Zé Carlos (a victim of cancer). The game was less important compared to the death of a friend.
Since 2006, Flamengo had been used to a tactical system that favored wingers and filled the midfield with defensive midfielders. However, a few rounds ago, you completely changed the system and started playing with two attacking midfielders and two forwards. Why the radical change?
The first game I would do this would be against Fluminense in the Copa Sudamericana. It was a bold, attacking strategy. I considered it, but held off. But after the 0-0 draw with Atlético-PR in Curitiba, when we didn't take a single shot, I realized it was time for a change. In the match against Santo André, it worked, and we maintained it. Against Inter, even in the rain, the team played well, and I finally realized: this is the way to play, both at home and away. Now there's no changing it.
In recent matches, the fans once again turned out at Maracanã and cheered from start to finish. Is this one of Flamengo's strengths in the final stretch?
The chemistry between fans and players was crucial. We'd been looking for this for a while, but couldn't achieve it. We worked on it within the group, and it came at the right time. We're eight games unbeaten and hope to maintain this consistency. We know it's Palmeiras, but we have everything we need to maintain this unbeaten streak.
There are elections at the end of this year. What's Andrade's future in 2010?
I wanted to reach the Libertadores and compete for Flamengo. It would greatly enhance my resume.