Palmeiras chief on Flamengo offer: "I'll only leave if…" | OneFootball

Flamengo attempted to hire João Paulo Sampaio at the end of 2024

As soon as Luiz Eduardo Baptista won the presidential election of Flamengo, in the final stretch of 2024, the club began restructuring the management. With the motto of professionalizing the Football Department, Mengão attempted to hire João Paulo Sampaio, an executive from Palmeiras. At the time, the professional declined the offer from the red-black team and now recalled the negotiations.

— I turned down many clubs, but the biggest truth is that, when the deal with Corinthians came up, I told the president: ‘President, rest assured, I won't leave Palmeiras until you do’. This was during her first term -, he said, before concluding:

— Last year, when the proposal from Flamengo came up, I was proud to see how much they wanted me, financially and for the prestige. But I listened, I know everyone and always want to maintain a good relationship. I said: ‘Thank you for everything, but when I left home, my father told me only one thing: ‘Do not dishonor my name, the rest is up to you’ -, concluded JP Sampaio, in an interview with the podcast ‘Podporco‘.

How were the talks with JP Sampaio?

João Paulo Sampaio has been at Palmeiras since 2015 and is considered one of the revolutionaries of the ‘change of course’ in the youth categories of the São Paulo team. During this period, the executive participated in the process of revealing great players, among them, Endrick and Estêvão.

In an attempt to secure the professional, Flamengo made an offer and made it clear that they were willing to pay the R$ 2 million release clause to take JP Sampaio from Palmeiras. Unsuccessful in the negotiation, the new management continues to look for other market opportunities.

Did Flamengo bring in another professional?

After the failed negotiation with JP Sampaio, the management of the youth categories remained under the responsibility of Carlos Noval, a professional who had been with the red-black football since 2010. However, at the beginning of July, Flamengo dismissed the director and appointed Alfredo Almeida, the ‘right-hand man’ of José Boto, to take on the role.

What is Flamengo's next match?

Meanwhile, Flamengo remains focused on the next commitment of the season. This Sunday (31), Flamengo faces Grêmio at 4 PM (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will provide the best coverage on the internet.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.