Mano Menezes Criticizes Flamengo's Firing of Luxemburgo In Wake of Duel With Ronaldinho

Brazil soccer coach Mano Menezes criticized Flamengo’s decision to fire coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo this Thursday, less than a day after Flamengo qualified for the group stages of the Copa Libertadores by beating Real Potosi 2-0. Menezes pointed to a disturbing trend in domestic Brazilian football to fire managers for a string of poor results without allowing them the ability to develop deeper and more enduring relationships with players, club management and fans. The Selecao coach cited his stint at Gremio from 2005 to 2007 and Corinthians from 2008 to 2010 and Muricy Ramalho’s tenure at Santos as exceptions to the rule of the merry-go-round in Brazilian football. Former Flamengo coach Joel Santana is the favorite to take over Luxemburgo’s position. Santana coached Flamengo from 2007 to 2008 before coaching hosts South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. Santana has been coaching Brazilian club Bahia since September but reportedly resigned on Thursday, around the time of Flamengo's decision regarding Luxemburgo. Speaking of the decision to part ways with Luxemburgo, Flamengo President Patricia Amorin remarked: "We listened to the opinions of the players, the fans and saw this was the right moment to make changes. We spoke with Luxemburgo and we understood how difficult the atmosphere was. The conclusion from that meeting was to dismiss the coach."

Luxemburgo is widely believed to have been forced out of Flamengo because of his deteriorating relationship with Ronaldinho, whom he accused of entertaining a female companion at a Flamengo training camp in Londrina, against club rules. Ronaldinho responded to Luxemburgo’s accusations by saying he would stay with Flamengo only if Luxemburgo left the club. Luxemburgo was fired less than a day after Flamengo secured a dramatic victory over Real Potosi due to goals by Leo Moura and Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho took the free kick that led to the first goal by Leo Moura and scored Flamengo’s second goal in injury time by dribbling past a defender and slotting the ball through the keeper's legs. Flamengo defeated Real Potosi 3-2 in aggregate to qualify for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.

Messi Humbles Neymar In Barca's 4-0 Rout of Santos in Club World Cup Final

Barcelona routed Santos 4-0 in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday in a formidable display of one touch passing, attacking firepower and possession football. The scoreline humbled South American club champions Santos and underlined Lionel Messi’s position as the best player in the world in the wake of a much touted rivalry between Messi and Santos striker Neymar. Barcelona raced to 3-0 lead at halftime thanks to goals by Messi, Xavi and Fabregas. Despite a 5 man back line, Santos defended sloppily and allowed Messi too much space on the right flank, from which he tended to cut inside and head toward goal. Santos looked more threatening in the second half but failed to convert a Neymar shot and ended up conceding a fourth goal ten minutes from time. After the match, Santos coach Muricy Ramalho remarked that no one can beat Barcelona though he pledged his team would attempt to return to the Club World Cup final next year with the hope of winning the title. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, oozed admiration for his team’s performance by noting that Barca played “like artists” and that Messi delivered a near perfect performance, under pressure. Before the match, Neymar had remarked how he plans to continue playing in Brazil until 2014. After being humbled by the Spanish champions, however, one wonders whether Neymar and Ganso will opt to ply their trade in Europe after taking a lesson in footballing mastery from the Catalan greats.

Ramalho Praises Neymar Ahead of Santos's Club World Cup Semifinal

Santos coach Muricy Ramalho claimed Neymar’s talent was comparable to that of Brazil legends Zico, Rivelino and French midfielder Zinedine Zidane. In an interview with Globoesporte.com, Ramalho claimed that Neymar’s talent was “absurd” and stemmed from his ability to “see a play before others do.” Ramalho made his remarks ahead of Santos’s initial game in the Club World Cup against Kashiwa Resyol on Wednesday. In the other Club World Cup semifinal, Barcelona play Al-Sadd on Thursday. If Santos and Barcelona both win their respective matches, the final of the Club World Cup will feature a mouthwatering clash between Santos and Barcelona, and by extension, Neymar vs. Lionel Messi. Ramalho conceded that Barcelona would always garner at least 65% of ball possession but noted that Santos could win based on Neymar's brilliance, slick passing from Elano and Ganso, and aerial balls that destabilize Barca's defense.

Santos Name Squad For Club World Cup 2011 in Japan

Santos coach Muricy Ramalho announced his 23 man roster for the Club World Cup which kicks off in Japan starting December 8. Santos will be without defender Adriano due to injury. Other teams in the tournament are Barcelona (Spain), Monterrey (Mexico), Al-Sadd (Qatar), Esperance (Tunisia), Auckland City (New Zealand) and the presently undetermined winner of the 2011 J League from the host nation. The tournament represents an opportunity for Neymar and Ganso to shine on the world stage and for Muricy Ramalho to showcase his defensive tactical ability, particularly in the event that Santos are given the challenge of stopping Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

The Santos squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers
Rafael
Aranha
Vladimir

Defenders
Bruno Aguiar
Bruno Rodrigo
Durval
Edu Dracena
Vinicius Simon
Danilo
Leo
Para

Midfielders
Anderson Carvalho
Arouca
Henrique
Elano
Felipe Anderson
Ibson
Ganso

Strikers
Alan Kardec
Borges
Diogo
Neymar
Reteria