Zé Ricardo completes "one round" with champion performance
In his first 19 games in charge of the team, the coach won 11 matches
By Francisco Freire* - in
An opportunity that suddenly arose, due to an unexpected and unwelcome situation: this was Zé Ricardo's rise from the U-20 team to the senior team. On May 26th, Flamengo's then-coach, Muricy Ramalho, suffered a heart condition and had to interrupt his training, which had been ongoing since January. With another round of the Brasileirão scheduled for three days later, the team couldn't afford to be without a manager—and Zé Ricardo was named interim manager.
Analyzing José Ricardo Mannarino's football career, it's easy to see that one word made the difference in getting him the chance: merit. His legacy includes a long career in the youth ranks, crowned by the 2016 São Paulo Junior Cup title.
His knowledge of the club, his football insights, and his conversational style quickly won over the squad and the Red-Black Nation. This quickly reflected on the field: Zé Ricardo debuted against Ponte Preta in Campinas and was undaunted, breaking an 11-year winless streak at Moisés Lucarelli Stadium.
It would be just the first negative streak erased under Zé. Less than a month after the new coach's debut, Flamengo faced Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. Certain defeat? Not at all: a goal from debutant Réver, a 1-0 victory, and a 15-year winless streak at the rival's stadium ended.
Those who are proud to be members make the team stronger and always have more Flamengo: discounts on tickets and pay-per-view, exclusive videos to stay up-to-date, advantages in official stores to get the jersey and other products, and much more. Click and join now!
With good results and convincing team performances, Zé Ricardo earned the job and the confidence to continue his work. And in an analysis after the first 19 games, the Rubro-Negro's performance is comparable to that of Brazilian champions. They have 11 wins, three draws, and five losses in the Brazilian Championship – thus earning 63,15% of the points contested. This performance is higher than that of three Brazilian champion teams: Corinthians in 2011 and Fluminense in 2010, which lifted the trophy with 62%; and Flamengo itself, which, in 2009, won the title with 59% of the points contested.
The campaign is also comparable to that of the current Brazilian Championship leader. Palmeiras won the first round with exactly the same record: 36 points out of a total of 57, with 11 wins and three draws. The difference lies in goal difference—Palmeiras scored 35 in 19 games, while Zé Ricardo's Flamengo has 25. In contrast, the red-and-black team conceded 19 goals, while the São Paulo team had conceded 20 at the end of the first round.
With strong performances, breaking taboos and results that speak for themselves, Zé Ricardo shows his worth round after round. The coach's next challenge is to lead the team towards qualification in the Copa Sudamericana, against Figueirense, this Wednesday (31), in Cariacica. Click here and see how to buy your tickets.
*under the supervision of Isabela Abirached and Ricardo Taves
Analyzing José Ricardo Mannarino's football career, it's easy to see that one word made the difference in getting him the chance: merit. His legacy includes a long career in the youth ranks, crowned by the 2016 São Paulo Junior Cup title.
His knowledge of the club, his football insights, and his conversational style quickly won over the squad and the Red-Black Nation. This quickly reflected on the field: Zé Ricardo debuted against Ponte Preta in Campinas and was undaunted, breaking an 11-year winless streak at Moisés Lucarelli Stadium.
It would be just the first negative streak erased under Zé. Less than a month after the new coach's debut, Flamengo faced Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. Certain defeat? Not at all: a goal from debutant Réver, a 1-0 victory, and a 15-year winless streak at the rival's stadium ended.
Those who are proud to be members make the team stronger and always have more Flamengo: discounts on tickets and pay-per-view, exclusive videos to stay up-to-date, advantages in official stores to get the jersey and other products, and much more. Click and join now!
With good results and convincing team performances, Zé Ricardo earned the job and the confidence to continue his work. And in an analysis after the first 19 games, the Rubro-Negro's performance is comparable to that of Brazilian champions. They have 11 wins, three draws, and five losses in the Brazilian Championship – thus earning 63,15% of the points contested. This performance is higher than that of three Brazilian champion teams: Corinthians in 2011 and Fluminense in 2010, which lifted the trophy with 62%; and Flamengo itself, which, in 2009, won the title with 59% of the points contested.
The campaign is also comparable to that of the current Brazilian Championship leader. Palmeiras won the first round with exactly the same record: 36 points out of a total of 57, with 11 wins and three draws. The difference lies in goal difference—Palmeiras scored 35 in 19 games, while Zé Ricardo's Flamengo has 25. In contrast, the red-and-black team conceded 19 goals, while the São Paulo team had conceded 20 at the end of the first round.
With strong performances, breaking taboos and results that speak for themselves, Zé Ricardo shows his worth round after round. The coach's next challenge is to lead the team towards qualification in the Copa Sudamericana, against Figueirense, this Wednesday (31), in Cariacica. Click here and see how to buy your tickets.
*under the supervision of Isabela Abirached and Ricardo Taves