Flamengo unveil new manager after Filipe Luís departure

Flamengo already has a new coach.

After dismissing Filipe Luís on Monday night (2), the Rubro-Negro confirmed the hiring of Leonardo Jardim, former coach of Cruzeiro last season.

The 51-year-old Portuguese coach left Cruzeiro at the end of 2025 to resolve personal matters, and there was an expectation that he would return to the market starting in March.

Even during his break, Jardim received inquiries from Brazilian football clubs.

Additionally, Olympique de Marseille, from France, and Al-Wasl, from the United Arab Emirates, made formal offers, which were declined by the coach.

Jardim's Career

Leonardo Jardim's career is marked by success in Europe, significant titles in the Arab world, and a recent and consistent stint in Brazilian football, where he coached Cruzeiro.

Although he is Portuguese, Jardim was born in Venezuela (to Portuguese parents) and moved to Madeira Island, the land of Cristiano Ronaldo, at a very young age.

With a degree in physical education, he was never a professional football player and started his coaching career quite early.

Rise in Portugal

Leonardo Jardim began his career at Camacha in 2003 and gained national recognition by achieving promotion to the Segunda Liga with Chaves (2007/08) and then to the Primeira Liga with Beira-Mar (2009/10).

He led Braga in the 2011/12 season, taking the team to third place in the national championship with an impressive winning streak.

In the 2013/14 season, he took charge of one of the country's giants, Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Revealed Mbappé

After succeeding in Portugal, Leonardo Jardim had successful stints with medium-sized teams in Europe.

- Olympiacos (Greece): Won the Greek Championship and the Greek Cup in the 2012/13 season.

- AS Monaco (France): It was at the French club that he reached his peak in the European scene. Jardim dethroned the powerful PSG and won the French Championship in the 2016/17 season, earning him the award for the tournament's best coach.

Besides the title, he was responsible for launching the striker Kylian Mbappé into world football.

Titles in the Arab World

With Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), he consolidated his success by winning the Asian Champions League in the 2021/2022 season, as well as the Saudi Championship and the Super Cup.

In the United Arab Emirates, he coached Shabab Al-Ahli and won the UAE Pro League in the 2022/2023 season.

He also had stints with Al-Rayyan (Qatar) and a brief period with Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) before coming to Brazil.

Recent Experience in Brazil (Cruzeiro)

In February 2025, Jardim was announced as the coach of Cruzeiro.

He had a very solid campaign in the Brasileirão, finishing the competition in third place with 70 points, securing a direct spot for the club in the 2026 Libertadores.

In 10 months of work, he accumulated 55 matches, with 26 wins, 18 draws, 11 losses, and a 58% success rate.

Since leaving the Minas Gerais team, Jardim was without a club and declined offers (including an inquiry from Flamengo itself and Olympique de Marseille) to take some time off and address personal matters.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.