You Interview: Armênio Moura answers questions from internet users
Youth coach talks about the talent he has under his command and is betting on a strong team this year
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
His resume includes stints with the Brazilian U-20 World Cup-winning team and participation in the development of players like Ibson, Renato Augusto, and Felipe Melo. Currently coaching Flamengo's youth team, Armênio Moura dreams of continuing the motto that "Flamengo makes a star at home" and also gaining even more experience, leading the red-and-black youth team to titles in the category.
In a chat with Flamengo's official website team, Armênio answered questions submitted by users on Você Entrevista. The Flamengo youth academy manager discussed his future, the strengths of Flamengo's youth academy, the training plans for the juniors, the suspension of the Carioca U-20 matches, and much more. Check out the full interview below:
Isabela de SB Gonçalves, 16, student (Rio de Janeiro, RJ): Some players stood out in the Copinha. What are your predictions for this team? Can the fans still believe in the star players Flamengo can produce at home?
I believe in the blend of the Copa São Paulo players, who are quite young, with some players born in 1990 who couldn't play in the Copinha due to their age. This ended up producing a great result. I see a strong team, with great strength in collective play. The fans can believe that we're working hard to achieve good results this season.
Flamengo was eliminated from the Copinha before even reaching the semifinals. Do you believe Flamengo has a strong enough team to win the other competitions it will compete in this year?
We're doing very well in the Campeonato Carioca. Unfortunately, the competition was suspended, but we were the clear leader, in addition to having the best attack and defense. We're working hard to win this title. It's a long championship, which runs until June, and in our planning, winning the Taça Guanabara is important to secure a spot in the final.
Rodrigo Matias Soares, 23 years old, Administrative Assistant (Rio de Janeiro-RJ) - Do you think about being the coach of Flamengo's professional team in the future or would you prefer to continue as the coach of the youth team?
I've coached professional teams. Before coming to Flamengo, I began my career in 1982 at Serrano, in Petrópolis, still in the youth ranks. Then, in 1990, I went to Olaria, where I coached teams at all levels, until reaching the professional level in 1995. After that, I went to Madureira, where I also worked with the professional team. Then, I signed with Flamengo, where I worked with several players before becoming a U-20 World Champion with the Brazilian national team. I went to Saudi Arabia, also coached the Estácio team, and, in 2008, I returned here. Being at Flamengo is a great showcase for my work.
Bruno Borges Alves, 16 years old, student (Rio de Janeiro-RJ): In your opinion, can Diego Maurício shine in the professional team like he does in Flamengo's youth academy?
Diego is a player who has been improving significantly since I arrived here in 2008, both tactically and technically. He has a lot of potential, is working hard, and I'm sure that if he continues like this, he will yield great results for Flamengo.
Bruno Mesquita da Costa, 19, student (Rio de Janeiro-RJ): What can we expect from this new crop of players you're managing? And in your opinion, why do some players graduate from the academy with limited physical stature?
Wearing the Flamengo jersey isn't for everyone. Many professionals feel the weight of the jersey. However, we have a strong team that, if well-trained, can deliver great results for the club. Regarding fitness, I can say that the board has already installed a great weight room at Ninho do Urubu, and we've been working there for two shifts. We're particularly concerned about this, as it's important for players to develop their fitness even at the youth level. Of course, this varies from player to player, but we're always vigilant.
Pedro Paulo, 19, athlete (Manaus, Amazonas): What was Mengão missing in the Copinha? Were the absences (Rafael Galhardo, Jorbison, and Diego Maurício) crucial? Who were the red-and-blacks' standouts in the tournament?
The Copa São Paulo is a tough competition. We had a young team, but I believe we performed well. We suffered the loss of three key players—Jorbison and Galhardo, full-backs, and Diego Maurício, forward—and that may have been a factor. However, I reiterate: I was pleased with the team's performance. We dominated every game, never looked cornered in any of them, but we ended up losing on penalties. Even now, perhaps a little more experience was needed.
Renato Mendes De Oliveira, 23 years old, musician (Itaboraí/RJ): Armênio, what is it like for you to have the responsibility of making the writing "Flamengo is a crack player" come true?
I've worked with many players who have gone on to become successful in soccer, and that's rewarding. Today, in Flamengo's squad, I've worked with Lomba, Vinícius (Pacheco), Camacho, Lenon... Before that, I'd worked with Renato Augusto, Ibson, Henrique, André Bahia... Flamengo's youth academy has always had this characteristic of developing players, and I hope to continue that tradition.
Juciê De Andrade, 39, businessman (Juazeiro, Bahia): You led a very young, albeit very good, team to the Brazilian Under-19 Championship and the São Paulo Junior Cup. I saw a 17-year-old (Nixon) play in two matches, and I really liked his performance. What do you think about his professional future at the club?
Nixon is a youngster who arrived at Flamengo at the end of last year. He's still maturing, but he's already traveled with us to these two championships. He's had some opportunities and could still perform well. In fact, he's being trained to do so.
In a chat with Flamengo's official website team, Armênio answered questions submitted by users on Você Entrevista. The Flamengo youth academy manager discussed his future, the strengths of Flamengo's youth academy, the training plans for the juniors, the suspension of the Carioca U-20 matches, and much more. Check out the full interview below:
Isabela de SB Gonçalves, 16, student (Rio de Janeiro, RJ): Some players stood out in the Copinha. What are your predictions for this team? Can the fans still believe in the star players Flamengo can produce at home?
I believe in the blend of the Copa São Paulo players, who are quite young, with some players born in 1990 who couldn't play in the Copinha due to their age. This ended up producing a great result. I see a strong team, with great strength in collective play. The fans can believe that we're working hard to achieve good results this season.
Flamengo was eliminated from the Copinha before even reaching the semifinals. Do you believe Flamengo has a strong enough team to win the other competitions it will compete in this year?
We're doing very well in the Campeonato Carioca. Unfortunately, the competition was suspended, but we were the clear leader, in addition to having the best attack and defense. We're working hard to win this title. It's a long championship, which runs until June, and in our planning, winning the Taça Guanabara is important to secure a spot in the final.
Rodrigo Matias Soares, 23 years old, Administrative Assistant (Rio de Janeiro-RJ) - Do you think about being the coach of Flamengo's professional team in the future or would you prefer to continue as the coach of the youth team?
I've coached professional teams. Before coming to Flamengo, I began my career in 1982 at Serrano, in Petrópolis, still in the youth ranks. Then, in 1990, I went to Olaria, where I coached teams at all levels, until reaching the professional level in 1995. After that, I went to Madureira, where I also worked with the professional team. Then, I signed with Flamengo, where I worked with several players before becoming a U-20 World Champion with the Brazilian national team. I went to Saudi Arabia, also coached the Estácio team, and, in 2008, I returned here. Being at Flamengo is a great showcase for my work.
Bruno Borges Alves, 16 years old, student (Rio de Janeiro-RJ): In your opinion, can Diego Maurício shine in the professional team like he does in Flamengo's youth academy?
Diego is a player who has been improving significantly since I arrived here in 2008, both tactically and technically. He has a lot of potential, is working hard, and I'm sure that if he continues like this, he will yield great results for Flamengo.
Bruno Mesquita da Costa, 19, student (Rio de Janeiro-RJ): What can we expect from this new crop of players you're managing? And in your opinion, why do some players graduate from the academy with limited physical stature?
Wearing the Flamengo jersey isn't for everyone. Many professionals feel the weight of the jersey. However, we have a strong team that, if well-trained, can deliver great results for the club. Regarding fitness, I can say that the board has already installed a great weight room at Ninho do Urubu, and we've been working there for two shifts. We're particularly concerned about this, as it's important for players to develop their fitness even at the youth level. Of course, this varies from player to player, but we're always vigilant.
Pedro Paulo, 19, athlete (Manaus, Amazonas): What was Mengão missing in the Copinha? Were the absences (Rafael Galhardo, Jorbison, and Diego Maurício) crucial? Who were the red-and-blacks' standouts in the tournament?
The Copa São Paulo is a tough competition. We had a young team, but I believe we performed well. We suffered the loss of three key players—Jorbison and Galhardo, full-backs, and Diego Maurício, forward—and that may have been a factor. However, I reiterate: I was pleased with the team's performance. We dominated every game, never looked cornered in any of them, but we ended up losing on penalties. Even now, perhaps a little more experience was needed.
Renato Mendes De Oliveira, 23 years old, musician (Itaboraí/RJ): Armênio, what is it like for you to have the responsibility of making the writing "Flamengo is a crack player" come true?
I've worked with many players who have gone on to become successful in soccer, and that's rewarding. Today, in Flamengo's squad, I've worked with Lomba, Vinícius (Pacheco), Camacho, Lenon... Before that, I'd worked with Renato Augusto, Ibson, Henrique, André Bahia... Flamengo's youth academy has always had this characteristic of developing players, and I hope to continue that tradition.
Juciê De Andrade, 39, businessman (Juazeiro, Bahia): You led a very young, albeit very good, team to the Brazilian Under-19 Championship and the São Paulo Junior Cup. I saw a 17-year-old (Nixon) play in two matches, and I really liked his performance. What do you think about his professional future at the club?
Nixon is a youngster who arrived at Flamengo at the end of last year. He's still maturing, but he's already traveled with us to these two championships. He's had some opportunities and could still perform well. In fact, he's being trained to do so.