Filipe Luís Kasmirski (Jaraguá do Sul, 1985) He went through Castilla and exploded at Deportivo before become one of the great members of Simeone’s ‘praetorian guard’ at Atlético.
He retired just a year ago. on November 30, 2023, after winning (almost) everything with Flamengo: two Leagues, two Libertadores, one Cup, one South American Cup Winners’ Cup… “I would have liked to play until I was 45, but unfortunately it was not possible,” he assured. He made, however, a promise that he has kept: “Football, I will never abandon you.”
Many people may not know it yet, but Filipe Luís has crossed the sideline to become a coach. He is clear: he wants to be like Simeone. “El ‘Cholo’ is the main person who has made me want to be a coach. It transformed my life, it changed my thinking… “It made me a champion.”
Simeone was the main person who made me want to be a coach. It turned me into a champion
The former left back rejected the position of Technical Coordinator of Brazil to begin his career as a coach. His rise has been meteoric. He began directing Flamengo under 17 in January and June He was promoted to sub-20, with which he was proclaimed champion of the Intercontinental Cup after beating Olympiacos, winner of the UEFA Youth League, 2-1 at Maracaná.
“He is going to be one of the great coaches of Brazil”
More than enough endorsement so that on September 30, after the dismissal of Tite, was named interim coach until the end of the season. Four games, only threethey have been enough for Filipe Luís to reach his first final in the elite. They beat Corinthians 1-0 in the first leg of the Brazilian Cup semi-finals in his debut and resisted in the return despite playing with one less from the 28th minute due to the expulsion of Bruno Henrique.
Filipe Luís celebrates qualifying for the final of the Brazilian Cup.
“I have a group of giant players, that grow in the ‘Classics’. I know they will never give up. You just have to believe in them. I haven’t done much more than provide them with tactical solutions,” he admitted, downplaying his importance, after making it to the final, where does Atlético Mineiro wait?coached by another old LaLiga acquaintance: Gaby Milito.
I have a group of giant players, I haven’t done much more than provide them with tactical solutions
Few matches that, however, have already earned him endless praise. “I think Flamengo was right in choosing Filipe Luís, who already had a title at base. As a footballer he worked with many coaches with different game ideas that helped him create his own identity. I think he is going to become one of the great coaches of Brazilian football.”assures Reinaldo, ex from ‘Fla’ to ‘O Dia’.
For now he remains faithful to the 1-4-2-3-1, but, more than a system, Filipe Luís believes in a game model. “I always want to propose, start the plays with possession of the ball, dominate the offensive field and attack the spaces. I want a more vertical game. The model is based mainly on pressure and then on aggressive football towards the opposing goal,” he revealed in an interview with ‘GE’. His career on the bench has just begun… but he promises.
