Flamengo has officially appointed a new head coach.
Following the dismissal of Filipe Luís on Monday night (2), the Rubro-Negro announced the signing of Leonardo Jardim, who coached Cruzeiro in the previous season.
He has inked a contract with the club that extends until December 2027.
The 51-year-old Portuguese manager concluded his tenure at Cruzeiro at the end of 2025 to address personal matters, with expectations of returning to coaching starting in March.
Advertisement
During his time away, Jardim received interest from various Brazilian clubs.
Additionally, Olympique de Marseille in France and Al-Wasl from the United Arab Emirates made formal offers, both of which were declined by him.
Jardim’s Career
Leonardo Jardim’s career boasts significant accomplishments in Europe, prestigious titles across the Arab world, and a recent successful period in Brazilian football with Cruzeiro.
Although Portuguese by nationality, Jardim was born in Venezuela to Portuguese parents and moved to Madeira Island, Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthplace, at a young age.
With a degree in physical education, he never played professional football and began coaching early in his career.
Advertisement
Rise in Portugal
Leonardo Jardim’s coaching journey began at Camacha in 2003, and he garnered national recognition by securing promotion to the Segunda Liga with Chaves (2007/08) and subsequently to the Primeira Liga with Beira-Mar (2009/10).
In the 2011/12 season, he managed Braga, leading them to a commendable third place finish in the national championship, highlighted by an impressive winning streak.
In the 2013/14 season, he took on the challenge of coaching Sporting Clube de Portugal, one of the country’s top clubs.
Revealed Mbappé
After his success in Portugal, Leonardo Jardim gained experience with various mid-level European teams.
– Olympiacos (Greece): Secured the Greek Championship and Greek Cup during the 2012/13 season.
Advertisement
– AS Monaco (France): His tenure at Monaco marked his pinnacle in European football, where he led the team to dethrone the formidable PSG, clinching the French Championship in the 2016/17 season. His outstanding performance earned him the title of best coach of the tournament.
Moreover, he played a pivotal role in the emergence of striker Kylian Mbappé in the global football scene.
Titles in the Arab World
Jardim established his reputation with Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) by winning the Asian Champions League in the 2021/2022 season, along with the Saudi Championship and the Super Cup.
During his time in the United Arab Emirates, he also coached Shabab Al-Ahli and won the UAE Pro League in the 2022/2023 season.
Advertisement
His career also included a stint at Al-Rayyan (Qatar) and a brief period at Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) before arriving in Brazil.
Recent Experience in Brazil (Cruzeiro)
Jardim was named the head coach of Cruzeiro in February 2025.
He led the team to a strong performance in the Brasileirão, finishing in third place with 70 points, thus securing direct qualification for the 2026 Libertadores.
Over a span of 10 months, he coached 55 matches, achieving 26 victories, 18 draws, and 11 losses, reflecting a 58% success rate.
After departing from the Minas Gerais club, Jardim remained without a team and turned down offers, including interest from both Flamengo and Olympique de Marseille, to take time away for personal reasons.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.