The Coaches Who Inspire Filipe Luís at Monaco
Filipe Luís has turned Monaco into one of the biggest stories of the early Ligue 1 season, but the Brazilian admits his team is still far from what he ultimately wants to build in the Principality.
The arrival of Filipe Luís at Monaco generated plenty of expectations following his successful spell with Flamengo, but the Brazilian's first few months in Europe have exceeded even some of those projections.
The 41-year-old Brazilian signed a contract through June 2028 and arrived in the Principality after winning major trophies during his time in charge of Flamengo, including the Copa Libertadores.
However, the strong start has not changed his message. In an interview with L'Équipe, Filipe Luís made it clear that he still believes there is a significant gap between what his team has shown so far and the football he wants it to play.
Guardiola, Emery, and Luis Enrique Among His Influences
The Monaco coach has never hidden his interest in studying different ways of understanding football. During his playing career, he spent years working under coaches such as Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid and also played for José Mourinho during his time at Chelsea.
Now, as a coach, other major names have also become important influences.
“I have quite a few sources of inspiration, like Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery, whom I visited in March,” Filipe Luís told L'Équipe, before emphasizing one fundamental point: “But I have my own approach.”
Luis Enrique is another name on that list. The Brazilian has publicly expressed enormous admiration for the PSG coach, whom he considers one of his main managerial references.
The respect goes both ways. Luis Enrique had already welcomed Filipe Luís' arrival in Ligue 1 before the two eventually faced each other in one of the most attractive matches of the early season.
The Ligue 1 Leader Still Wants More
The results have been impressive, but Filipe Luís is far from satisfied with the standings alone.
The Brazilian believes Monaco still needs to develop tactically and reach another physical level as the season progresses. He expects his team to gradually improve its ability to maintain the intensity required by his style of play.
“We haven't yet reached where I want us to be tactically,” the coach admitted, adding that he expects his players to run “more and better” as November and December arrive.
That demanding mentality helps explain Filipe Luís' immediate impact in the Principality. His approach combines pressing, intensity, and control of possession, while also drawing from everything he learned during a career in which he worked with coaches who had very different philosophies.
For now, the result is a Monaco side that has emerged as a contender in Ligue 1. For its coach, however, this appears to be only the starting point.
Filipe Luís Is Building His Own Monaco
- Filipe Luís acknowledged that Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery, and Luis Enrique are among the coaches who have influenced his understanding of football.
- The Brazilian joined Monaco following a successful spell with Flamengo and is under contract through June 2028.
- Despite an impressive start in Ligue 1, Filipe Luís believes his team is still far from reaching the tactical level he wants.
