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Flamengo have moved swiftly to appoint Leonardo Jardim as their modern head coach, just hours after relieving Filipe Luís of his duties. The decision to bring in the Portuguese tactician wasn’t a surprise, as club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista had already made contact with Jardim late last year following the departure of the coach from Cruzeiro due to personal reasons. With early-season performances raising concerns, Baptista revisited the possibility of Jardim taking charge, and an agreement was reached through to the end of 2027.
Jardim arrived at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão Airport on Monday night and successfully avoided a throng of supporters and media by using an alternative exit. He will lead his first training session today and could develop his debut in Sunday’s Campeonato Carioca final against Fluminense, with kickoff set for 6:00 PM local time at the Maracanã.
A key factor in Jardim’s appointment was his reputation for a firm, no-nonsense approach. Flamengo officials believe he can effectively manage the locker room while also delivering results on the pitch. During his time at Cruzeiro, he was given the authority to influence the team environment and even sideline players for disciplinary reasons. With a perceived lack of focus within the squad following a successful 2025 season, the Portuguese coach was seen as the ideal candidate to steer Flamengo back towards championship contention.
Throughout their careers, Leonardo Jardim and Filipe Luís share similarities and differences on the sidelines. Jardim gained international recognition for his long tenure at Monaco, where he won the French Championship in 2016-2017 and developed young talents like Kylian Mbappé. After stints in the Middle East, he ventured into Brazilian football with Cruzeiro last year.
In Belo Horizonte, Jardim transformed the team without abandoning his tactical principles, leading them to a third-place finish in the 2025 Brasileirão. Like Filipe Luís, the Portuguese coach favors an attacking style with and without possession. According to Rodrigo Coutinho, a commentator for Grupo Globo, both managers’ teams defensively pressure the opponent’s build-up play, particularly after losing possession. Coutinho highlighted another common thread in their management styles:
— “Above all, they prioritize tactics when selecting their starting lineups. They are coaches who aren’t afraid to bench technically gifted players in favor of a strategic approach, a game model, and the pursuit of collective strength, always seeking to balance the team with complementary players who offer what they believe the team truly needs.”
While Pedro often found himself on the bench under Filipe Luís, Jardim also isn’t hesitant to leave established stars out of the starting eleven. Gabigol, for example, didn’t fit Jardim’s style of play at Cruzeiro and watched from the sidelines as Kaio Jorge led the team in scoring in the previous season.
While the two coaches share defensive principles, Bruno Formiga, a commentator for GE TV, points to a “shift” in attacking philosophy. Formiga believes the difference between a more patient attack under Filipe Luís and a more direct approach with Leonardo Jardim could impact some players, but also benefit others who saw limited playing time previously.
— “Cruzeiro’s team was more direct and focused on transitions, unlike Flamengo under Filipe Luís, which valued possession more. This could impact players like Pulgar and Jorginho, while the team has players with pace to exploit transitions, such as Luiz Araújo, Plata, and Everton Cebolinha,” Formiga analyzed, adding:
— “Pedro could be negatively affected, as he has different characteristics than a more mobile striker like Kaio Jorge. Arrascaeta also offers less mobility than Matheus Pereira. It could work for the wingers, but it doesn’t seem like an immediate fit for everyone.”
