How many managers in history have been sacked after an 8-0 win?
Former Chelsea, Atletico Madrid star Filipe Luis must surely be the first.
He had been considered one of the brightest young managerial talents in football for his work at Flamengo but the Brazilian side axed the 40-year-old immediately after his side hammered Madureira by eight in a domestic cup semi-final.
Luis had an incredibly successful, albeit short, tenure. He led the club to Copa Libertadores (the South American equivalent of the Champions League), the league title and five more trophies.
Having taken over initially on an interim basis following the sacking of Tite in September 2024, Luis made a massive impact during his 18 months in charge.
But those achievements have been cast aside, even in the wake of such a dominant performance to reach yet another final.
Filipe Luis (centre) was sacked as Flamengo manager despite the team winning 8-0
Sporting director Jose Boto reportedly told Luis of his fate in a brutal 30-second chat just after his post-match press conference.
Globo reported that the decision was made before the match, adding: ‘The news came as a bombshell but the scenario had been unfolding over the past few days.
‘The former full-back was informed immediately after the press conference at the Maracanã and was caught by surprise. There was no justification given in the conversation with the coach.’
Luis was not even afforded the courtesy of saying goodbye to the players he had turned into a winning machine during his time at the club.
He paid the price for a poor start to the season, with Flamengo losing the Supercopa do Brasil to Corinthians and the Recopa Sudamericana to Lanús.
He departs the Brazilian giants with a record of 62 wins in 99 games and an incredible haul of trophies.
Flamengo was Luis’ first job in management and his reputation was growing so impressively that he was even linked to the Chelsea role when Enzo Maresca was sacked.
Ultimately the job was given to Liam Rosenior but no doubt Luis will still have his share of suitors in Europe now he is unattached.
Luis (pictured second from right) played for Chelsea for a season in 2014/15
Luis played for the Blues 15 times under Jose Mourinho in 2014/15 but is best known for his time under Diego Simeone at Atletico where he won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and finished runner-up in the Champions League twice.
He represented the Spanish side more than 200 times during two separate spells before ending his career at Flamengo where he transitioned to the dugout.
The club posted a short statement announcing his dismissal at 00:59am local time on Tuesday.
It read: ‘Filipe Luis will no longer be in charge of the professional team. Ivan Palanco (assistant coach) and Diogo Linhares (physical trainer) are also leaving the club along with him.
‘Flamengo thanks former player and coach Filipe Luis for everything that was achieved and shared during this journey. The club wishes him success and the best of luck in the continuation of his professional career.’
Portuguese manager Leonardo Jardim has emerged as the favourite to succeed Luis at Flamengo for the rest of this season.
