Zico: "It's time to give blood"
In an exclusive interview, the football executive director asks the group to demonstrate its value
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Itu (SP) – Exactly two weeks after officially taking over as Flamengo's executive director of football, Zico spoke with the club's official website team at the squad's presentation in Gávea on Tuesday (June 29.06) and revealed his first impressions of the new role. "Galinho" spoke about the work he has ahead of him and also took the opportunity to say that this is a time of total dedication in pursuit of a successful second half of the season.
An idol wearing the red-and-black jersey on the field, Zico hopes to achieve glory off it as well. To achieve this, he relies on the group's commitment in the remainder of this year's Brazilian Championship. Excited about the start of the work, he reaffirmed the need for structural improvements, praised the young members of the group, and expressed confidence in a positive future for the club.
Check out the full interview below:
Flamengo's Official Website: You've been following Flamengo's training sessions closely. How important is it to always be by the team's side?
Zico: It's important to always be talking to the players and maintaining this constant contact. Especially because, when making an evaluation, it's crucial to have this foundation to analyze all factors, whether positive or negative. I even think this is my duty as football director: to be present whenever possible.
Site: What do you think is the most important point of these days in Itu?
Zico: The work is starting to pay off now, as Rogério will have more time to field the team, practice tactics and technique, and get a sense of what to do next in the Brazilian Championship. Previously, assessments and physical training were underway. Now it's time to put the game-changing mindset into practice.
Site: What is your assessment of the cast so far?
Zico: I believe the group is a bit bloated, which is bad because it ends up creating a certain dissatisfaction among those who aren't training. We also can't refine those who need a little more refinement. But I don't want to rush into things. We're observing everything very carefully. We have a quality squad, with many valuable players, and I believe we need to strengthen some areas and create balance, because we have too many players in some positions and too few in others. But I believe we're on the right track.
Site: The group has a lot of young players. Is that a positive point?
Zico: The trend is this: many youth players are promoted. It's important that up-and-coming players get opportunities. That happened to me. Rogério already knows their work, and that's what Joubert did with me, pulling me up from the youth academy because he'd already worked with me in the youth system. Not just with me, but with that entire generation. And it's important to remember that patience was required. It took a while for the team to gel, but when it did...
Site: How do you see the pressure on these boys?
Zico: It's important that these kids, if they get the chance, make the most of it. I even discussed this with them. There's a lot of talk about reinforcements and signings, but whoever's here has what it takes to be at Flamengo, and now's the time to prove it. More than ever. It's time to give it their all. This offseason is probably the first Brazilian league games without reinforcements, so now is the time to fully dedicate ourselves to seizing these opportunities.
Website: What can you say about Renato, Corrêa and Val Baiano, reinforcements who recently signed with Flamengo?
Zico: There are three players who can help us a lot. Renato is a player who truly embodies Flamengo, who quickly identified with the club and the fans and has everything he needs to do well again. Correa is also an experienced player with attacking quality who can fill a role we need, playing a little further forward. Val Baiano, on the other hand, is a goalscorer. Nobody scores 18 goals for nothing.
Site: Is the team close to ideal for the future?
Zico: I believe our midfield is significantly strengthened with the arrival of Correa and Renato. Now we just have to wait for their performances, get them in shape, and see how they perform.
Site: What can be said about the contract renewals, especially David's, whose contract ends tomorrow (30.06)?
Zico: These matters are progressing. I believe David's is well underway. The people responsible for this contacted me and told me they're moving toward an agreement. We're also fighting to keep Vagner Love, who is a very important player.
Website: Today (29.06/XNUMX), your management completes exactly two weeks, since the team introduced itself. Are you already accustomed to the new role?
Zico: I'm calm about the pressure and the position. I'm already accustomed to Flamengo and know we'll need good results. I was very pleased with the team's reception, not only toward me but also toward the new coaching staff. The work is just beginning, but I'm excited.
Website: What still needs improvement?
Zico: We're training some days in Gávea and others at Ninho do Urubu, and that ends up being a problem. We need to know that we have the infrastructure at our disposal. As much as possible, we'll try to provide the group and the committee with a structure so that everything can be done at the Training Center. Structure is the priority, without a doubt.
An idol wearing the red-and-black jersey on the field, Zico hopes to achieve glory off it as well. To achieve this, he relies on the group's commitment in the remainder of this year's Brazilian Championship. Excited about the start of the work, he reaffirmed the need for structural improvements, praised the young members of the group, and expressed confidence in a positive future for the club.
Check out the full interview below:
Flamengo's Official Website: You've been following Flamengo's training sessions closely. How important is it to always be by the team's side?
Zico: It's important to always be talking to the players and maintaining this constant contact. Especially because, when making an evaluation, it's crucial to have this foundation to analyze all factors, whether positive or negative. I even think this is my duty as football director: to be present whenever possible.
Site: What do you think is the most important point of these days in Itu?
Zico: The work is starting to pay off now, as Rogério will have more time to field the team, practice tactics and technique, and get a sense of what to do next in the Brazilian Championship. Previously, assessments and physical training were underway. Now it's time to put the game-changing mindset into practice.
Site: What is your assessment of the cast so far?
Zico: I believe the group is a bit bloated, which is bad because it ends up creating a certain dissatisfaction among those who aren't training. We also can't refine those who need a little more refinement. But I don't want to rush into things. We're observing everything very carefully. We have a quality squad, with many valuable players, and I believe we need to strengthen some areas and create balance, because we have too many players in some positions and too few in others. But I believe we're on the right track.
Site: The group has a lot of young players. Is that a positive point?
Zico: The trend is this: many youth players are promoted. It's important that up-and-coming players get opportunities. That happened to me. Rogério already knows their work, and that's what Joubert did with me, pulling me up from the youth academy because he'd already worked with me in the youth system. Not just with me, but with that entire generation. And it's important to remember that patience was required. It took a while for the team to gel, but when it did...
Site: How do you see the pressure on these boys?
Zico: It's important that these kids, if they get the chance, make the most of it. I even discussed this with them. There's a lot of talk about reinforcements and signings, but whoever's here has what it takes to be at Flamengo, and now's the time to prove it. More than ever. It's time to give it their all. This offseason is probably the first Brazilian league games without reinforcements, so now is the time to fully dedicate ourselves to seizing these opportunities.
Website: What can you say about Renato, Corrêa and Val Baiano, reinforcements who recently signed with Flamengo?
Zico: There are three players who can help us a lot. Renato is a player who truly embodies Flamengo, who quickly identified with the club and the fans and has everything he needs to do well again. Correa is also an experienced player with attacking quality who can fill a role we need, playing a little further forward. Val Baiano, on the other hand, is a goalscorer. Nobody scores 18 goals for nothing.
Site: Is the team close to ideal for the future?
Zico: I believe our midfield is significantly strengthened with the arrival of Correa and Renato. Now we just have to wait for their performances, get them in shape, and see how they perform.
Site: What can be said about the contract renewals, especially David's, whose contract ends tomorrow (30.06)?
Zico: These matters are progressing. I believe David's is well underway. The people responsible for this contacted me and told me they're moving toward an agreement. We're also fighting to keep Vagner Love, who is a very important player.
Website: Today (29.06/XNUMX), your management completes exactly two weeks, since the team introduced itself. Are you already accustomed to the new role?
Zico: I'm calm about the pressure and the position. I'm already accustomed to Flamengo and know we'll need good results. I was very pleased with the team's reception, not only toward me but also toward the new coaching staff. The work is just beginning, but I'm excited.
Website: What still needs improvement?
Zico: We're training some days in Gávea and others at Ninho do Urubu, and that ends up being a problem. We need to know that we have the infrastructure at our disposal. As much as possible, we'll try to provide the group and the committee with a structure so that everything can be done at the Training Center. Structure is the priority, without a doubt.