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Vanderlei LuxemburgoBrazilian football player and football coach.
Date of Birth: 10.05.1952
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Vanderlei Luxemburgo: A Brazilian Football Icon
- Childhood and Football Origins
- Player Career
- Managerial Beginnings
- Rise to Prominence
- Success with Bragantino and Palmeiras
- Controversial Stint with Flamengo
- Success at Paraná and Palmeiras
- National Team Appointment
- Coaching in Europe and Return to Brazil
- Return to Santos and Palmeiras
- Controversy and Accusations
- Later Career
- Grêmio and Fluminense
- Cruzeiro and Final Coaching Jobs
- Personal Life and Legacy
Vanderlei Luxemburgo: A Brazilian Football Icon
Vanderlei Luxemburgo, born on May 10, 1952, is a renowned Brazilian football manager and former player. He holds the record as one of the most successful club managers in the world, having led Cruzeiro to an unprecedented treble in 2003, winning the Brazilian Championship, Brazilian Cup, and Minas Gerais State Championship in a single season.
Childhood and Football Origins
Luxemburgo grew up in a humble village outside Rio de Janeiro. His passion for football began at a young age, when he joined the youth team of Colégio do Estado. In 1963, his family moved to Rio, where he joined the youth academy of Botafogo.
Player Career
In 1971, Luxemburgo made his professional debut with Flamengo. He spent the majority of his playing career at the club, winning the Guanabara Cup in 1972, 1973, and 1978, as well as three Rio State Championships in 1972, 1974, and 1978. He also captained the Brazilian youth team that won the prestigious Cannes Tournament in 1973.
Managerial Beginnings
After retiring from playing due to a knee injury, Luxemburgo turned to coaching. He started as an assistant manager at Olaria, before moving to América (RJ) in 1980. In 1981, he briefly joined Vasco da Gama as an assistant.
Rise to Prominence
Independent Coaching CareerLuxemburgo began his independent coaching career in 1983 with Campo-Grande. He later managed Rio Branco, Fluminense, and América (RJ) before moving to Saudi Arabia to coach Al-Ittihad.
Success with Bragantino and Palmeiras
In 1989, Luxemburgo took over Bragantino and led them to promotion to the top flight of the São Paulo State Championship. The following year, he guided them to their first-ever Paulista title.
In 1993, he joined Palmeiras, where he achieved remarkable success. He won the Brazilian Championship, São Paulo State Championship, and Rio-São Paulo Tournament in his first year, repeating the league and state titles the following season.
Controversial Stint with Flamengo
Luxemburgo returned to Flamengo in 1995, but his time there was marked by conflict. He publicly criticized the club's management, leading to his dismissal.
Success at Paraná and Palmeiras
After a brief spell with Paraná, Luxemburgo returned to Palmeiras in October 1995. He led the team to another São Paulo State Championship title in 1996, showcasing attacking football and nurturing young talents like Rivaldo.
National Team Appointment
In 1998, Luxemburgo was appointed as manager of the Brazilian national team. He began his tenure with optimism but faced challenges due to conflicts with players and controversies surrounding his tactics.
Coaching in Europe and Return to Brazil
Real MadridIn 2004, Luxemburgo fulfilled his dream of coaching a European giant when he was appointed as manager of Real Madrid. He led the team to seven consecutive victories, a club record. However, after a change in tactics and poor results, he was dismissed.
Return to Santos and Palmeiras
Luxemburgo returned to Brazil, coaching Santos and Palmeiras with mixed success. In 2008, he led Palmeiras to the São Paulo State Championship title.
Controversy and Accusations
Luxemburgo's career has been overshadowed by controversies, including accusations of match-fixing, tax evasion, and the use of black magic. He has been involved in several criminal investigations, but all charges have been dropped.
Later Career
Atlético Mineiro and FlamengoIn 2009, Luxemburgo became manager of Atlético Mineiro. Despite winning the Minas Gerais State Championship, he was dismissed due to poor results. He later had two more stints with Flamengo, in 2010 and 2014.
Grêmio and Fluminense
Luxemburgo also managed Grêmio and Fluminense, but both tenures were short-lived. He was dismissed from Grêmio in 2013 and Fluminense in 2014.
Cruzeiro and Final Coaching Jobs
In 2015, Luxemburgo returned to Cruzeiro, where he remained until 2016. He also had brief stints with Sport Recife and Vasco da Gama before retiring from management in 2019.
Personal Life and Legacy
Luxemburgo is a devout believer and often displays religious symbols in his appearance. He is also known for his colorful wardrobe and eccentricities.
Despite the controversies, Vanderlei Luxemburgo remains one of the most successful and influential figures in Brazilian football. He is renowned for his attacking style of play and his ability to develop young talents. His achievements have left a lasting impact on the sport, both in Brazil and around the world.
