Former Brazil international Filipe Luis is heavily favored to become the next manager of AS Monaco, according to reports in L’Équipe. The 40-year-old is poised to succeed Sébastien Pocognoli on the French Riviera, marking his second managerial role after a successful, albeit short, stint at Flamengo.
Luis recently concluded his playing career with Flamengo, where he enjoyed a distinguished spell both on and off the pitch. He quickly transitioned into coaching, initially managing the club’s U17 side before being appointed as Flamengo’s first-team manager in September 2024 following Tite’s resignation. During his time in charge, he secured a remarkable five trophies: the Copa do Brasil, the SuperCopa, the Campeonato Carioca, the Copa Libertadores, and the Brasileirão. Despite a narrow defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Intercontinental Cup, his record established him as the most decorated manager in Brazilian football at his age.
Bruno Spindel, a former director at Flamengo, highlighted Luis’s unique qualities, recalling a meeting in Madrid in 2019 where he recognized the player’s potential as a future coach. Spindel noted Luis’s “vision and intelligence,” and even contributed financially to bring in an assistant coach, Ivan Palanco, demonstrating his commitment to building a strong coaching setup. Luis’s dedication and leadership were also underscored by his willingness to publicly challenge his friend and player, Pedro, regarding his training attitude, which ultimately led to improved performance.
Charles Hembert, a former assistant coach at Flamengo, praised Luis’s inquisitive nature and tactical understanding, stating he had “never met a player so curious.” Luis consistently analyzed training sessions, questioned tactics, and formulated his own ideas, indicating a deep understanding of the game. This analytical approach, combined with his experience in both European and South American football, is seen as a significant asset. Walter Casagrande, a former Brazil international, believes Luis blends “European tactical sense with South American intuition,” making him a standout candidate.
Luis’s appointment at Monaco represents a significant step in his managerial career, offering him the opportunity to test his skills in a competitive European league. His success at Flamengo suggests he possesses the qualities to thrive in Ligue 1 and potentially establish himself as one of the world’s leading coaches.
