Vice President of Football Marcos Braz appeared on the Arena SporTV program this Friday in São Paulo and put a damper on his relationship with coach Andrade. Alongside Traffic president Júlio Mariz, the Flamengo director also called for Aírton to stay for 2010. According to him, Flamengo will try to maintain its Brazilian champion squad and bring in only occasional reinforcements.

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Marcos Braz isn't considering the possibility of losing any player, especially Adriano. But he's aware of the club's limitations when it comes to the Emperor, whose contract runs until June.

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"Our priority is to maintain the squad and, of course, make specific signings. I haven't heard anything different (about Adriano's departure). But one thing is clear: Adriano will only play for Flamengo if he wants to. He's the one who decides that. There's no such thing as the manager holding the reins, doing things, and making things happen. He's a top striker and can play whenever he wants for a top club," said the vice president of football.

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Regarding Aírton, he took advantage of Júlio Mariz's presence to try to secure his stay at the club. Traffic owns 35% of the midfielder's rights and is considering exercising a clause that would release the player if an offer exceeds €2,25 million (approximately R$5,7 million) abroad. This week, Flamengo, which owns 15%, received an official offer from Benfica worth €3 million (approximately R$5,7 million). Nova Iguaçu holds the remaining 50%.

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"Flamengo wants him to stay with us in 2010, which will be a different year. We want to convince investors that it's a good deal to keep Aírton at the club for the Copa Libertadores," said Marcos Braz.

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Before that, Júlio Mariz made a point of stating that the good relationship between Traffic and Flamengo continues, so much so that he officially extended an invitation.

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- We hope that Flamengo will use our training center in Porto Feliz (inland São Paulo) for the pre-season – said Mariz.

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Andrade

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Marcos Braz also addressed his relationship with the coach. According to him, his relationship with Andrade became more balanced after the public disagreements sparked by the negotiations for his continued tenure in 2010.

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"Of course there will be a 'Good morning.' My relationship with Andrade may not be what it was before. But before, it was above average. Now it's balanced. The only point of the renewal is that, given our relationship, it couldn't have reached the level it did. Andrade is a good person. I'm happy with him, satisfied, and the result showed it worked. It would be crazy to change. But Flamengo also has to assert itself," explained Marcos Braz.