Looking at Flamengo´s future

I spent a decade in Japan, a few years in Europe and most of my life as football player in Flamengo and travelling around the world. And I believe that there is not a great club without structure, planning and organization. These words are giving a tip. ZNR Connection this week is about the construction of Flamengo´s Training Centre, in Vargem Grande, a Rio de Janeiro neighborhood, and the new direction for the youth categories.

I understand the fans worried about reinforcements for the first squad with the Brazilian national championship in motion. And I´m committed with the team. But, at the same time, I´m dedicating some hours to follow the Training Centre project and working to change the youth squad´s management and mentality.

Maybe the crowd is not realizing, but the current squad has not one experience player revealed by Flamengo. All of them, counting with the fans´ confidence, began their careers in other clubs. This sign must keep us alert. More than players to enter in the field today or tomorrow, Flamengo needs the preparation to become a great club with the size of its crowd from now on. Our reality is much different.

There is a president´s commitment to finish the Training Centre. I´m here to work for it and remember the promise that we will have funds to the project. In fact, I should not talk about completing the Training Centre, because we need to build it. Unfortunately, I found a place in precarious conditions for the youth players. The professional squad cannot work there as well!

For now, we are acquiring containers to function as living rooms, refectories, locker rooms, press area and much more. We will offer the minimum structure temporarily. However, in one year, we believe that the first stage of the Training Centre will be completed, ensuring a place to the youth squad work in peace.

This physical structure will help the club to rescue the respect as an important youth academy, lost in the last decades. I´m also talking to the youth teams coordinators about a new method focused in the development of the athletes. Reducing the squad, paying attention in the young players, imposing a strict discipline and demanding less trophies to the youth categories. These steps are important to the future of the club.

People that use to observe players are also very important. More than titles in the youth categories, we need to work in all young teams to reveal players for the first squad. This is fundamental for Flamengo.

Explaining this project in my column is my way to make an invitation to the fans. We are working for the club´s future. Meanwhile, our present depends on the team that is training in Gávea, Flamengo´s headquarters. The reinforcements are coming, but let´s give support to the young players tested by the coach Rogério Lourenço. I´ve talked with all of them telling that this month is their chance to find a place in the team. It´s time to give blood for Flamengo.

And to you, fan, which talks to me in the club, sends e-mails, suggests players on Twitter or is supporting this investment in the youth categories, I want to invite to go to the matches and cheer for these players. I´m sure that they will play heartily. Have patience and shout for the team. They will need this support and, as everybody knows, Flamengo´s crowd is one more player in the field. I´m counting with you!

See you next week!


10/07/14.

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