Jorge Jesus has eased the fears of Flamengo fans everywhere by announcing on Instagram that he has extended his contract with the Copa Libertadores winners, ending speculation linking the veteran coach with Newcastle United.
While many a 65-year-old is content with merely collecting their free bus pass, life beyond the daily grind does not appeal to one of the most outspoken and successful managers of the modern era.
Jesus is still going strong in his seventh decade on planet earth. A man who led transformed Benfica into the dominant force of Portuguese football has outdone even his remarkable achievements in Lisbon over in South America.
He led Flamengo to Copa Libertadores glory for the first time since 1981 days after lifting the league title in late-2019.
Jesus, the miracle-working manager, now has a staggering 20 trophies on his CV.
So maybe he was not the surprising, left-field option he initially appeared when Goal suggested that the former Sporting Lisbon, Braga and Al-Hilal boss had been lined up to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle United.
Though, with Jesus now putting pen to paper on a new one-year deal with Flamengo, those links have proved to be rather short-lived.
“My representatives reached an agreement with Flamengo’s board of directors to renew my contract for another year,” says Jesus, who was due to become a free agent on June 20.
“My friendly relations with all the players, the club structure and Nação Rubro-Negra (the Flamengo fans) were decisive. They touched my heart.
“Thank you all for your affection, recognition and support for our work. Tell the Nation that I stay!”
A Bola had reported last month that Flamengo were left sweating over the future of a legendary figure, with the club struggling to fund his £3.2 million-a-year wage demands in an era of unprecedented financial uncertainty.
But, in what will come as a huge relief to anyone of a black and red persuasion, it seems that a compromise has been reached.
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