But it can be a high risk style of play, and when it goes wrong — the predictable disaster of Argentina’s 2018 World Cup campaign or the recent, second spell with Sevilla, things can go badly off the rails. Flamengo and the fans are notoriously impatient. Sampaoli is notoriously explosive. Sparks will certainly fly, and a long-term marriage is unlikely.
But it could work well in the short term. Sampaoli has worked in Brazil twice before and done well. He knows what he is getting himself into, and will believe that this time he has the financial muscle behind him to challenge for the serious honours. And in the immediate short term, it is hard to see anything but a victory on debut. Flamengo lost away to Aucas of Ecuador in their Libertadores opener. But on Thursday they are at home to little Nublense of Chile, playing the competition for the first time. It is hard to think of a gentler start to Sampaoli’s time in charge of Brazil’s biggest club.
