Filipe Luis was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea before the club’s announcement that Xabi Alonso had been hired. Now, Luis has found a new club and it isn’t Alonso’s old side Bayer Leverkusen.
It’s been a busy few months for Luis. Back in January, Chelsea spoke to the then-Flamengo manager about becoming manager at Strasbourg. Talks died when Luis realised BlueCo didn’t want him at Chelsea.
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That changed this summer. Luis was strongly linked with a return to Stamford Bridge, having spent the 2014-15 season in West London. He wasn’t a front runner, but he was constantly linked with the job.
Instead, Chelsea went with Alonso. It left Luis continuing to scour the market having been sacked by Flamengo earlier this year, despite his last game being a 7-0 win. Leverkusen were linked with Luis.
Filipe Luis to become Monaco manager after Leverkusen links
Initial reports said that Leverkusen had made a move to hire Luis, and that he was at the top of their list. It felt like a really positive move for Luis, with the German club looking to repeat their Alonso appointment.
But on Thursday morning, Fabrizio Romano has reported some breaking news and it comes as a twist. Luis is now set to become Monaco’s manager, replacing former Belgium defender Sebastian Pocognoli.
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Romano posted on X on Thursday morning: “EXCLUSIVE: AS Monaco agree deal to appoint Filipe Luis as new manager, here we go! Surprise move behind the scenes despite links with other clubs.
“Filipe Luis has already said yes. Contract until June 2028, move led by director Thiago Scuro,” Romano added, confirming that Luis will sign a three-year contract with the Ligue 1 side in the coming hours.
Luis could work with Chelsea star Romeo Lavia next season
The news that Luis is set to become Monaco manager comes within the same 24 hours of Monaco’s bid for Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia. It has been claimed that Monaco are set to bid £25m for Lavia.
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The former Southampton midfielder has failed to make any kind of impact at Stamford Bridge. With Lavia missing out on Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad, the chances are that the midfielder may like a change.
However, Chelsea spent £53m to sign Lavia and while his book value will be less than that figure, the chances are that Monaco will have to increase their offer to stand a chance of signing the Blues player.
But there is a world where Luis becomes Monaco manager, which looks a near-certainty at this stage, and Monaco end up signing Lavia. Monaco did at least qualify for Europe, albeit the Conference League.
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