Against all odds, Andrade makes history
"Tromba" wins the sixth title of his career and is the biggest winner in the history of the Brazilian Championships
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - inAndrade proved to be truly "sinister," as the fans chanted. With the title won on Sunday, the Flamengo coach became the first Black Brazilian champion as a coach and the only one in the club's history to win the country's most important football competition as both a coach and a player. Furthermore, he became the most successful team in the competition's history, with six titles. There's no arguing with Tromba's career achievements.
\Before that, however, many people doubted the commander of the sixth title. Five years ago, when he started working at the club, the former player was even the victim of racial prejudice, according to what he reported. press conference on Monday afternoon at a hotel in Barra da Tijuca.
\"In 2004, when Adílio and I took over the Flamengo team, a youth team director said that football had become a 'Flamengo vulture.' It was a mean, wrong, and disrespectful comment to me and Adílio. I turned things around and am very happy with winning the title. As for the guy, I'd rather not say who it was," he said.
\Calmly, Andrade endured the pressure, brushed off criticism, and undaunted by doubts. According to him, being Black, it took him longer to get his chance to shine. However, in his first opportunity as the club's permanent coach, he quickly demonstrated his talent and rescued Flamengo from a 17-year drought without winning a Brazilian title.
\"As with any profession, we are viewed with suspicion. Many didn't believe we could achieve it, especially because of my skin color. Marcos Braz gave me the opportunity I needed, and I proved that I have the skills to coach a club like Flamengo," he said.
\With so many stars, Andrade can't help but consider himself enlightened. The coach believes he was chosen by God to lead the red-and-black club to its sixth title, but remains humble and praises the quality and determination of his players on the field.
\"When I took over Flamengo, it wasn't by chance. I was chosen by God to fulfill a mission. And we succeeded. But I can't take credit alone, because the players ran onto the field for me. They told me they would do it. Without them and the members of the coaching staff, I wouldn't be here," he added.