Flamengo unveiled its new coach for the 2019 season this Wednesday afternoon, Abel Braga. At a press conference held at the George Helal Training Center, the coach spoke to the press alongside Football Director Carlos Noval and Football Manager Paulo Pelaipe. During the interview, Abel recalled his first stint at the club, the experience he gained during his 14 years away from Flamengo, the new structure, and his expectations for 2019. 

Carlos Noval began his conversation with reporters by introducing the coach, saying, "He needs no introduction." "Abel has won several titles and has a winning spirit. Everything Flamengo and the fans want is embodied in Abel. We all want these titles, and he will be the one to lead the way." 

Check out some topics from Abel Braga's press conference below. 

Nation and challenge

"Flamengo has the highest average attendance of recent Brazilian leagues. This shows what this club is and its greatness. This is a challenge. And I like challenges. I'm hungry, and it's extremely important to be able to give something more to Flamengo at this time."

Cast and identity

"I can say that Marcos Braz didn't travel for a walk. He went to talk. We didn't stop working for a single day. We were on the phone six, seven, eight times a day. But there's a difference between what the press reports and the reality of the club. So you have to be very flexible. The fans can be sure that players will come, and we're working hard. We believe we need to have a little more identity. Because, from the outside, the fans are showing it. It's not normal, in the last round of the Brazilian Championship, which was worthless, to put 70 people in the stadium. Flamengo fans have the mentality of a European club. No position is imposed, the fans go. We are obliged to have an identity with this and know what this jersey represents."

abel 2019

"Abel Braga in 2004 had nine titles. We won the Carioca and reached the Copa do Brasil final. We had three outstanding players: Felipe, Julio Cesar, still very young, and Zinho. I had nine titles, I won the tenth here and then 14 more titles. That's what changed."

Diego

'He's under contract until mid-year, after that he's free. There was talk of an offer, we spoke with him, and we're working toward an agreement. My limit with the board is to say whether I want it or not. Salary, time and other matters, it's all up to the board. He's relatable, has a lot of character, is incredibly dedicated, and I've heard that the very good environment at Flamengo is largely due to him."

Message to the fans

"I don't like making promises. Do I promise to work hard? Obviously. If you don't work, you don't play. I know that identity. It has to be bigger. It has to be bigger. The fans are going. It's not normal to start every year as favorites and then, when you have to win, something goes wrong. That's what we'll have to figure out. I want the fans to know that I'll try to identify the situation and create something similar to what happens in the stands on the field. In 2004, I felt it in my spine with that song "Poeira." I understood it well there. And playing against Flamengo, we felt it too."

The new Flamengo

"After the press conference, I'll have a meeting with the committee and get to know the new part of the training center. I'm amazed by what I saw. It's a different club. The level it's reached, where it got to, and how it got there. These were people who thought correctly, on the best path, and the obstacles were overcome."

prioritizing

"We want to win as much as we can. But always prioritize winning the next game. I think a strategic mistake was made this year. When they fielded the starting lineup in the State Championship, with other competitions, it wouldn't have held up. The team can't handle it. No one prepares a team for 80 games in 17 days. And by mid-February, the fans will have to understand that we won't have the starting lineup. They'll have to rotate. If someone plays Wednesday and Sunday, they won't train. And they'll pay the price later."

Henry Gold

"Dourado is a different guy. A great man, a great character. He's proven this quality to me countless times. And he'll certainly have the chance to try to turn things around with me. Before I arrived at Fluminense, he was unlucky to be replacing the club's greatest idol, Fred. What I said was that he would play one game knowing he would play the next one too. He needed consistency and confidence. Then he started to take off. There, he needed some attention. And he ended up becoming a key player within the group with his attitude. I'll be immensely happy if he can have that year again within the group. And we're counting on that 2017 Golden Boy."