BRAZIL
Beer...the secret of Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s success with Corinthians
The Corinthians coach confessed that since his players began to drink beer post-game they are more relaxed and this has helped string five consecutive wins together.
Vanderlei Luxemburgo came to the Corinthians bench last May with the Sao Paulo team enduring something of a slump at the time. The team coached by the experienced Brazilian coach have gone on a five consecutive game winning run in the Brazilian Cup, Copa Sudamericana and domestic Serie A.
The change of dynamic at the club has come not only due to the extensive experience of Luxemburgo and the back room staff but also down to the new positive atmosphere that has been generated in the locker room with the key to this new found positivity coming in the form of a post game beer.
It all started after a recent match in which Cássio, veteran goalkeeper and team captain, approached the coach and stated: “Boss, a little beer today post game will make everyone feel more relaxed.”
In an interview with Globo Esporte, the 71-year-old manager acknowledged that “having a beer after the game is a very natural way to relax and this all helps create harmony in a dressing room”. Luxemburgo explained that for a group of players to work together, it is important to identify the leaders of the squad but at the same time make everyone feel important.
Always learning
Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been a coach for 40 years and the game of football has changed a lot in that time with the former Real Madrid coach stating: “We are practically a second father to the younger players as when they turn to the employer (the club), they are seen often as disposable merchandise as the game is now big business”, the Brazilian reflected.
“I am learning from these young players, it’s a totally different relationship, not only professionally, but also as a human being”.
Luxemburgo now faces the task of helping his Corinthians team continue to climb the rankings of the Brazilian Championship, Copa do Brasil and advance in the Conmebol Copa Sudamericana.