Champion Professor: Zé Ricardo's first achievement leading the professionals.
Before completing a year in charge, the coach lifted his first trophy alongside the players of the main team of the beloved club.
By Matheus Oliveira - inApproaching his one-year anniversary as head coach of Flamengo's professional team, Zé Ricardo won his first title with the first team, crowning the great work done by the coach and his players.
After beating Fluminense 1-0 in the first leg of the final, Flamengo secured another victory in the derby, this time 2-1, and added another trophy to their collection at Gávea.
The positive results of his work, combining the teaching methods of a physical education teacher in the Rio de Janeiro public school system with his football knowledge, began in youth futsal and, soon after, in professional football, when he coached the Ascoli team in Italy. In 2005, the coach moved to field football, taking charge of Flamengo's under-13 team for four years.
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After his time at Audax-RJ, the coach returned to Flamengo in 2012, leading the club's under-15 team, where his competence began to yield trophies.
In the 2014 Brazil-Japan Friendship Cup for Children's Football, the Flamengo team defeated Corinthians 5-0 in the final, paving their way to victories. The results in the under-15 category were so impressive that, in the same year, the coach was promoted to the under-20 team, where he established himself as one of the leading coaches in the youth categories of Brazilian clubs.
In the 2014 Brazil-Japan Friendship Cup for Children's Football, the Flamengo team defeated Corinthians 5-0 in the final, paving their way to victories. The results in the under-15 category were so impressive that, in the same year, the coach was promoted to the under-20 team, where he established himself as one of the leading coaches in the youth categories of Brazilian clubs.
After taking over the under-20 team, which had been on a long losing streak prior to his arrival, Zé Ricardo lifted the prestigious Octávio Pinto Guimarães Cup in 2015, defeating Botafogo in the tournament final.
The coach would also go on to win the Rio de Janeiro State Under-20 Championship that same year, also defeating Botafogo in both the Guanabara Cup and Rio Cup finals for that category. However, the greatest achievement of his career up to that point came the following year. With two participations in the São Paulo Junior Football Cup in previous seasons, the experience in the competition made all the difference for both the coach and the players in the 2016 edition.
Against Corinthians, at Pacaembu, many of the players who are now part of the main team of Flamengo played a fundamental role in the conquest. Names like goalkeeper Thiago, decisive in the penalty shootouts that decided the title; defender Léo Duarte; midfielder Ronaldo; attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá; forwards Thiago Santos and Cafu; in addition to center forward Felipe Vizeu, the competition's top scorer.
The consistency of his teams throughout his career is also reflected in the present moment. Since his debut with the first team, even as an interim coach, his success rate is 65,6% in 63 matches, totaling 36 wins, 16 draws, and only 11 losses. Since 2010, none of the 14 coaches who have managed the club from Gávea have shown numbers equal to or better than the current Flamengo coach.
Today, Zé Ricardo makes his mark in Flamengo's history. The homegrown coach who rose to the professional level to achieve a significant milestone. From 33 to 34 state titles, further solidifying Flamengo's dominance in the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro State Championship).