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Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Fluminense coach turns underdogs Fluminense into Club World Cup challengers
By Fernando Kallas HT Image NEW YORK -Brazilian soccer's ultimate showman Renato Portaluppi has transformed Club World Cup underdogs Fluminense from relegation battlers to giant-killers in three months, setting up a blockbuster semi-final with Chelsea on Tuesday. The charismatic 62-year-old, known as Renato Gaucho, has helped them defy the odds to knock out Champions League runners-up Inter Milan in the last 16 and Al-Hilal in the quarter-finals with his trademark extravagant guidance from the touchline. Portaluppi was one of Brazilian soccer's most popular and polarising figures before taking over a Fluminense team that had barely avoided relegation in the Brazilian league last year. Now his standing has grown stronger after guiding one of the tournament's biggest underdogs this far. The former striker, who scored almost 200 goals in a career spanning two decades, has never been short of confidence or controversy. A textbook egomaniac, Portaluppi once declared that he was "better than Cristiano Ronaldo." His playing heroics included scoring with his belly one of the most iconic goals in the country's history - the winner that gave Fluminense the 1995 Rio de Janeiro championship in a breathtaking 3-2 derby victory over Romario's Flamengo. The next morning, he graced the front page of Brazil's most popular newspaper wearing a crown with a sceptre in one hand and a ball in the other under the headline 'King of Rio.' A decade earlier, he was the hero of his childhood club Gremio, guiding them to their first Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup titles as a young player. From humble beginnings, he bought a house for each of his 11 siblings with the bonus he received. LIBERTADORES DOUBLE Over 30 years later, Portaluppi became the first Brazilian to adorn his living room with a Libertadores trophy as a player and another as a coach, guiding Gremio to the South American title in 2017 after winning the Brazilian Cup the previous year, and ending a 15-year title drought for his beloved club. But Portaluppi's career has been marked by dramatic ups and downs due to his strong personality and emotional outbursts. He was famously excluded from Brazil's World Cup squad in 1986 for allegedly leaving the training camp to go partying, and was later kicked out of Botafogo after organising a barbecue at his home for the opposition Flamengo squad after a humiliating defeat in the final of the Brazilian championship. A coach since 2000, Portaluppi is an exceptional motivator, which is arguably why he has experienced great success in knockout tournaments but has never claimed the Brazilian league, the big trophy that he has yet to win in his country. Portaluppi has been a great opponent of the latest trend towards having foreign coaches in Brazilian soccer, arguing that the clubs have more patience with outsiders, giving them more time to work. Critics say he improvises too much with his tactical schemes and does not put enough thought and study into his football. But Portaluppi has transformed Fluminense with an attacking 4-2-3-1 system and high-pressure style that he calls "creating chaos", which has defined their campaign in the United States. He has Fluminense playing with a grit and determination they will display against Chelsea as they try to continue their improbable Club World Cup run. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Estevao bids emotional farewell to Palmeiras after Chelsea loss
By Fernando Kallas Soccer-Estevao bids emotional farewell to Palmeiras after Chelsea loss PHILADELPHIA, - Teenage sensation Estevao bid an emotional farewell to Palmeiras after the Brazilian club's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Friday. The 18-year-old winger, who will join Chelsea after the tournament, scored a stunning equaliser but was left heartbroken as a late own goal sent the Premier League side through to the semi-finals. Estevao's 53rd-minute strike showcased the immense talent that has made him one of Brazil's brightest prospects, and highlighted the gap he will leave in the Palmeiras team. Picking up the ball on the right side of the box, he weaved past Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and fired an unstoppable shot from a tight angle that went in off the underside of the crossbar. It was a moment of brilliance that briefly reignited Brazilian hopes after Cole Palmer had put Chelsea ahead in the first half. "I'm happy to have helped my team with the goal," he said in an emotional press conference after he was named the Player of the Match. "Unfortunately, it wasn't the result we wanted, but I think it's okay. We gave our all on the pitch, and that's what matters." The teenager reserved special praise for Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira, who he called "a father figure" and credited with helping him grow as a player. "Coach, thank you very much for everything," Estevao said. "He taught me to play tactically, and that was very important for me. Palmeiras opened doors for me, and I was very happy here. "My family and I are so grateful to the club, to Abel, and to my team mates for everything they did for me. I will carry Palmeiras in my heart forever." Estevao's performance against Chelsea was a bittersweet farewell, his goal demonstrating why he is so highly regarded and the defeat marking the end of his Palmeiras journey. The emotions were much simpler for Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. "Happy because we won, happy because he scored, so it's a perfect night," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-New managers making instant impact as Club World Cup quarter-finals take shape
By Fernando Kallas Soccer-New managers making instant impact as Club World Cup quarter-finals take shape PHILADELPHIA, - The expanded soccer Club World Cup is proving to be a stage for managerial fresh starts, with three of the eight quarter-finalists led by coaches appointed just weeks before the tournament – and all three have already stamped their authority on their new teams. Arguably none has made a bigger splash than Simone Inzaghi, who delivered one of the tournament's biggest shocks when his Al Hilal side stunned Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 4-3 in a breathtaking extra-time thriller. The 49-year-old Italian, who left Inter Milan after their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain just five weeks ago, got sweet revenge on Monday against the Premier League giants who had beaten his Nerazzurri in the 2023 Champions League final. Inzaghi took the win by playing steady, rock-solid defence and exploring the speed of his forwards up-front with long balls that exploited their opponent's aggressive, high-positioned defensive line. Malcom and Marcos Leonardo were a constant menace on the counter-attack throughout the match, while his defenders managed to slow down City's star-powered attack for most of the game. And when they were threatened, Moroccan goalkeeper Bono worked his magic with a string of world-class saves to frustrate their opponents and keep the Saudis in the game. Al Hilal's reward is a quarter-final clash with tournament underdogs Fluminense, who defied the Opta supercomputer's odds of just 0.05% to win the title and stunned Champions League runners-up Inter Milan 2-0 to reach the last eight. Initially tipped to exit in the group stage, the Brazilian side's remarkable run continues under Renato Gaucho, a former Fluminense striker and club legend who took charge three months ago. Renato has transformed a team that narrowly avoided relegation in 2024 into genuine contenders, with Colombian winger Jhon Arias emerging as a potential tournament MVP. Against Inter, Fluminense showed the grit and determination that have defined their campaign with a remarkable Arias and striker German Cano once again making the difference. Real Madrid complete the trio of new-manager success stories, with Xabi Alonso arriving a month ago to replace Carlo Ancelotti after a rare trophy-less season that included four consecutive defeats to Barcelona, including a humiliating 4-0 Clasico thrashing at the Bernabeu. Arriving with a reputation for innovative tactics following his trophy-laden stint at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has started using a five-man defence, marking a significant departure from the traditional 4-3-3 formation used by predecessors Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane over the past decade. The change evoked memories of Vicente del Bosque's 2000 Champions League-winning side, the last Real Madrid team to adopt such a structure, as Real prepare to face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday off the back of three consecutive wins. As the tournament progresses, the early success of these new managerial appointments suggests that fresh ideas and bold decisions can reshape even the most storied teams. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Flamengo's Filipe Luis gains European attention despite Club World Cup exit
By Fernando Kallas Soccer-Flamengo's Filipe Luis gains European attention despite Club World Cup exit PHILADELPHIA, - Flamengo's spirited display at the Club World Cup ended with a 4-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the last 16 but the Brazilian side's attacking approach under Filipe Luis has drawn praise and put the 39-year-old firmly on the radar of Europe's top clubs. Despite the loss, Flamengo's campaign, which included a commanding 3-1 win over Premier League Chelsea, showcased their ability to challenge European opposition, a feat no Brazilian club has managed in 13 years at this level. Filipe Luis, a former defender with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, has transformed Flamengo into an exciting offensive force since taking over last year, winning three domestic trophies in his first four months at the helm. The match against Bayern saw Flamengo fight valiantly, with goals from Gerson and Jorginho with a penalty keeping them in contention. However, Bayern's clinical finishing, including a brace from Harry Kane, proved decisive. Speaking after the match, Filipe Luis acknowledged the challenge of facing European giants. "There are levels in football, and reaching the very top is difficult for clubs outside Europe. But we showed we can compete against a much superior rival and the way we played brought us closer to winning," he said. Filipe Luis' managerial career has taken off rapidly since he succeeded former Brazil coach Tite at Flamengo. Under his guidance, the club won the Copa do Brasil in November, the Supercopa do Brasil against Botafogo in February, and the Carioca Championship in March. The Club World Cup marked the first tournament Luís has failed to win, though his achievements have already drawn comparisons to Brazil's top coaching exports. European media have taken notice, with Marca describing him as "one of the greats in the making," while France's L'Equipe praised his "brilliant transformation" of Flamengo. The Athletic labelled him "a young coach with a bright future." Brazilian managers have struggled to break into Europe in recent years, with Sylvinho's brief spell at Olympique Lyonnais over five years ago being the last high-profile example. Meanwhile, Portuguese and Argentine coaches have dominated Brazil's domestic scene, with Abel Ferreira, Jorge Jesus and Artur Jorge all having success in recent seasons by winning the Libertadores with Palmeiras, Flamengo and Botafogo respectively. Filipe Luís' Flamengo lead the Brasileirao and are in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil. With his European playing experience and early managerial success, Filipe Luis is seen as Brazil's best hope of returning a native coach to the top leagues of Europe. Only time will tell if Flamengo's manager will continue his rise and secure a move to one of Europe's elite clubs. For now, his work in Brazil is laying the groundwork for what could be a big step forward for Brazilian coaches on the global stage. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Lyon owner Textor to step back from club management
By Fernando Kallas HT Image PHILADELPHIA, - American businessman John Textor plans to step back from the day-to-day management of Olympique Lyonnais following the club's relegation to Ligue 2, which was confirmed after a meeting with French football's financial watchdog this week. Textor, who owns the French club through his Eagle Football Group, revealed his decision in an interview with Brazil's TV Globo on Saturday, shortly before his Brazilian side Botafogo lost 1-0 to Palmeiras in the Club World Cup, saying he could have dealt better with French football politics. Lyon's demotion was provisionally announced by the DNCG in November due to financial irregularities and was confirmed on Tuesday. Textor said the club would appeal against the decision and that Lyon's financial position remained strong despite the ruling. "I will tell you that we're very well capitalised in France," Textor told TV Globo. "It's clear that I've been much better on the pitch than managing France. I have not been so good at the politics of France. I think that's well known. So the process is, for me, as an American capitalist, adjusting to that system." Textor said his focus would shift towards broader responsibilities within Eagle Football Group which also includes Botafogo and formerly included a 43% stake in English club Crystal Palace, sold earlier this week. "I am going to spend a lot more time focusing on Eagle Global, coming back frankly a bit more to Botafogo," he said. "I've got very good partners in the Eagle Football Group shareholders who are going to take a lead on dealing with some of the issues that I have frankly not been very good at dealing with." Despite Lyon's relegation, Textor highlighted the club's recent achievements, including back-to-back qualifications for the Europa League, and reassured fans about their financial stability. "We've never been more liquid in cash. But there are things in the process I did that disappointed the governing bodies there that we need to fix," Textor said. "We did pass through the financial sustainability review with UEFA, which is quite a comprehensive process. So the fact that we didn't pass through France has more to do with some of the specific elements that I brought to the table that I should have improved." Textor hinted at a potential acquisition in the United Kingdom to replace the Crystal Palace stake. "We have our U.K. strategy where we need to look at who our new club is. What are we going to buy there? What's the partnership? Because it's that collaboration between the clubs that's been so successful for us," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
