Leonardo Jardim

Club career

Early years

Born in Barcelona, Venezuela to Portuguese parents who had settled in the country, Jardim returned to Portugal at a very young age, relocating to the island of Madeira. In 2001, aged only 27, he began working as assistant at local club Camacha, and remained three years in that role.

Subsequently, Jardim was promoted to head coach at the third division side, before moving to Chaves in the same division midway through the 2007–08 campaign. He led the northerners to promotion to the Segunda Liga in 2008–09, his only full season.

On 2 June 2009, Jardim was hired by Beira-Mar, and achieved another promotion in 2009–10, this time to the Primeira Liga.

Braga

In May 2011, Jardim replaced Sporting CP-bound Domingos Paciência at the helm of Braga. He led the Minho club to third place in his only season – posting a record of 15 consecutive league wins in the process– but left after a disagreement with the president.

Olympiacos

On 5 June 2012, Jardim agreed to join Olympiacos of Super League Greece on a two-year contract, replacing Ernesto Valverde. He was controversially relieved of his duties on 19 January 2013, even though the team led the league by ten points.

Sporting CP

Jardim agreed to return to the country of his parents on 20 May 2013, signing a two-year deal with Sporting. Leading a team full of young players developed in the club's youth academy, he coached the Lisbon team to second place in 2013–14, with 25 points and 18 goals more than the previous season.

Monaco

On 10 June 2014, Jardim joined Monaco, signing a contract for two years with the option for another. He led the team to third place in Ligue 1 in his first year, and repeated the feat in 2015–16; in between, on 12 May 2015, he agreed to an extension until 2019.

In the 2016–17 campaign, displaying attacking football, particularly by several young players, Monaco won its first national championship in 17 years under Jardim, who also won his first top-flight league title as a manager. The side also reached the semi-finals in both the UEFA Champions League and the Coupe de France, and lost the final of the Coupe de la Ligue to Paris Saint-Germain. In early June 2017, Jardim agreed a new deal until 2020.

On 11 October 2018, following a poor start to the season which included two losses in as many Champions League group stage matches, Jardim was sacked. On 25 January 2019, following the dismissal of Thierry Henry, he was reappointed.

Jardim was again relieved of his duties in late December 2019.

Al Hilal

On 2 June 2021, Jardim was appointed at Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League on a one-year deal with an option for a second. On 14 February 2022, in spite of winning the Saudi Super Cup, the AFC Champions League and helping to the conquest of the domestic league alongside his successor Ramón Díaz, he left by mutual consent.

Shabab Al Ahli

Jardim became manager of Shabab Al Ahli on 8 June 2022, signing a one-year contract. He won the UAE Pro League in his only season, but left due to reported interest from Al-Rayyan.

Al-Rayyan

On 26 June 2023, Jardim agreed to a two-year deal at Al-Rayyan. He finished second in the Qatar Stars League in his sole campaign, also achieving runner-up honours in the domestic cup.

Al Ain

Jardim returned to the Emirati top division on 8 November 2024, taking over from the dismissed Hernán Crespo at Al Ain on a contract until the end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Two months later, however, he was dismissed due to poor results.

Cruzeiro

Jardim switched clubs and countries again on 4 February 2025, being named head coach of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A's Cruzeiro. He led them to third place in the league, and was knocked out of the Copa do Brasil in the semi-finals.

On 15 December 2025, Cruzeiro announced Jardim's departure; despite being under contract for a further year, he expressed his desire to leave after not wanting to take any other coaching jobs.

Managerial statistics

!W !D !L !GF !GA !GD !Win % |- | Camacha | 1 July 2003

Honours

Camacha

• AF Madeira Cup: 2003–04

Beira-Mar

• Segunda Liga: 2009–10

Olympiacos

• Super League Greece: 2012–13
• Greek Football Cup: 2012–13

Monaco

• Ligue 1: 2016–17

Al Hilal

• Saudi Pro League: 2021–22
• Saudi Super Cup: 2021
• AFC Champions League: 2021

Shabab Al Ahli

• UAE Pro League: 2022–23

Individual

• Ligue 1 Manager of the Year: 2016–17

References

References

1. {{WorldFootball.net. leonardo-jardim
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5. (2 June 2009). "Leonardo Jardim confirmado como treinador do Beira-Mar". Notícias de Aveiro.
6. (8 May 2010). "Leonardo Jardim enaltece jogadores". [[SAPO (company).
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9. (7 December 2011). "Equipa é mais ofensiva do que com Domingos". SAPO.
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12. (5 June 2012). "Πέφτουν υπογραφές με Ζαρντίμ". Ethnos.
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29. (4 October 2018). "Dortmund whitewash Monaco 3–0 in UEFA Champions League". [[Xinhua News Agency]].
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32. (28 December 2019). "Monaco: Jardim à nouveau débarqué, Moreno pour lui succéder". Le Figaro.
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36. (27 June 2022). "Al Hilal, de Michael e Cuéllar, conquista tricampeonato saudita seguido". [[TV Globo#Programming.
37. (14 February 2022). "📃 #AlHilal terminates "Jardim" contract by mutual agreement..".
38. (8 June 2022). "Oficial: Leonardo Jardim é o novo treinador do Shabab Al Ahli". [[O Jogo]].
39. (7 May 2023). "Leonardo Jardim é campeão dos Emirados Árabes Unidos". Mais Futebol.
40. McAuley, John. (22 May 2023). "Leonardo Jardim to leave Shabab Al Ahli after leading club to Adnoc Pro League title". [[The National (Abu Dhabi).
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42. Hussain, Fawad. (25 April 2024). "Al Sadd clinch ESL title in style". [[The Peninsula (newspaper).
43. (4 May 2024). "Sheikh Joaan crowns Al Wakrah champion of Qatar Football Cup for first time in their history". [[Qatar Tribune]].
44. (8 November 2024). "UAE's Al-Ain appoint Jardim as manager after sacking Crespo". [[Reuters]].
45. Aleixo, Mário. (4 February 2025). "Al Ain despede o treinador Leonardo Jardim". Rádio e Televisão de Portugal.
46. (4 February 2025). "Leonardo Jardim é o novo técnico do Cruzeiro". Cruzeiro EC.
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51. {{soccerway coach. jose-leonardo-nunes-alves-sousa-jardim/141733
52. {{ForaDeJogo manager. 74
53. Schöggl, Hans. "Madeira – List of Cup Winners". [[RSSSF]].
54. Roseiro, Bruno. (17 May 2017). "Não é preciso ganhar dentro de campo para ser campeão fora dele". [[Observador]].
55. (15 May 2017). "Trophées UNFP: Cavani, Jardim, Mbappé... Le palmarès complet". [[RTL (French radio).