Flamengo name Portuguese manager Jardim as replacement for sacked Filipe Luis

Flamengo have named Leonardo Jardim as their latest head coach after the unexpected dismissal of Filipe Luis.

The former player was removed from his position mere hours following a resounding 8-0 victory over Madureira in the Campeonato Carioca, the regional tournament for Rio de Janeiro.

The Portuguese coach stepped down from his role at Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte back in December, after only 10 months, citing the need to safeguard his physical and mental wellbeing.

Aged 51, he has pursued a varied managerial path across Portugal, Greece, France, the Middle East, and Brazil.

Jardim led Olympiacos to the Greek championship in 2013 and achieved the same success with Monaco in 2017, featuring a young Kylian Mbappe in his team.

Additionally, he secured league honours in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, along with a second-tier title in Portugal.

"Welcome to Flamengo, Leonardo Jardim," declared the Rio de Janeiro club via their social media platforms on Wednesday.

The new appointment comes with an agreement running until the end of 2027.

Filipe Luis's departure occurred just six months on from steering Flamengo to their fourth Copa Libertadores victory and the Serie A crown in Brazil.

"I depart with a sense of calm, pride, and a clear conscience," stated Luis Filipe in his farewell message to the club on Instagram.

The 40-year-old, once a defender for Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, assumed the senior role at Flamengo, Brazil's wealthiest outfit, in September 2024, having risen from coaching their youth setup since retiring as a player there in 2023.

However, the team has endured setbacks this season, including defeat in the Brazilian Super Cup final against Corinthians and a loss to Lanus of Argentina in the Recopa Sudamericana after additional time in the return fixture at the Maracana.