Who is new Monaco manager Filipe Luis?
Filipe Luis has been named as Sébastien Pocognoli's successor at AS Monaco. Who is the Brazilian who will be in the dugout at the Stade Louis II next season?
PLayer becomes manager at childhood club
As a player, Filipe Luis had a journeyman career, spanning two continents and eight clubs. Having started at Figueirense, he would have a loan spell at Ajax before returning to South America to play at Uruguayan club Rentistas. Then came a loan spell at Real Madrid's B-team before another loan to Spain, this time to Deportivo de la Coruña.
This move would become permanent and Filipe Luis would establish himself in Europe for over a decade, playing for top clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. With the former, he would make 333 appearances across two spells, with his time at Stamford Bridge a mere interlude. His one year in the Premier League wasn't without success, however. He returned to Spain having won the league and the League Cup.
But it is Madrid where Filipe Luis saw the greatest success, winning La Liga (2013/14), the Europa League (2011/12 and 2017/18), the Copa del Rey (2012/13) and the UEFA Super Cup (2012/13 and 2018/19).
AS Monaco's new head coach! 👔
Welcome to Ligue 1, Filipe Luís. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/BbzYc65GBK— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 6, 2026
Nine years after his initial move to Atletico Madrid, he departed to return to his native Brazil. He would join his childhood club, Flamengo, and whilst he continued playing for the next five years, it was quickly apparent to those at the club that a future manager, as well as a player, had been signed. He did his coaching badges whilst still playing and when his playing career came to an end, he inherited a managerial position at the Brazilian side.
Initially the manager of the U17s, he then worked up to the U20s age category before being appointed first-team manager in September 2024. He immediately impressed. Thrust into the spotlight thanks to the creation of the FIFA Club World Cup, his side's performance against one of his former clubs, Chelsea, was arguably the surprise of the tournament. The Brazilian side would win 3-1 against the eventual winners of the tournament in the Group Stage. Their journey in last summer's competition would come to an end in the Round of 16 against Bayern Munich (2-4), but by that point, Luis Filipe's work had already piqued the curiosity of European clubs.
Filipe Luis receives praise from Luis Enrique
Months later, his work was on display again as they faced Ligue 1 McDonald's and Champions League champions PSG in the Intercontinental Cup. Filipe Luis' side stifled the free-flowing Parisiens, forcing them to a penalty shoot-out in the final of the competition. Luis Enrique's side would come out on top. Prior to that match, the Spaniard spoke of anticipating a "very difficult game". He added, "They play very good football, very good, with and without the ball."
Bruno Spindel, the sporting director at Flamengo until 2025, said that Filipe Luis will "soon be one of the best managers in the world". At Monaco, the Brazilian will look to live up to the hype.
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