Leonardo Jardim Consolidates Work at Flamengo with 24 Wins and Brazilian League Lead
Coach Leonardo Jardim has been showing impressive results at the helm of Flamengo. Since his arrival on March 4, 2026, the Portuguese manager has led the team in 37 matches, securing 24 wins, 9 draws, and only 4 losses. A win rate of 70%, with 70 goals scored and 27 conceded, demonstrates the solidity of his work, which culminated in winning the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro State Championship) in his debut, a title that came after a fierce competition against Fluminense, decided by penalties.
A Challenging Start to the Season
Leonardo Jardim‘s hiring occurred at a delicate moment for the club, succeeding Filipe Luís, who faced criticism despite the 2025 titles. The beginning of 2026 was marked by Flamengo‘s oscillations in the Brazilian Championship and the loss of the Supercopa do Brasil and Recopa Sudamericana titles, a scenario that demanded resilience and adaptation from the new coach.
First Win and Memorable Reencounters
Despite the Carioca title being decided on penalties, Flamengo‘s first win under Leonardo Jardim in regulation time came against Cruzeiro, 2-0, in a match valid for the fifth round of the Brasileirão. The game took on special significance, with the coach being targeted by the opposing fans at his former venue, the Maracanã. Fate dictated an emblematic reunion, with the Minas Gerais club being Flamengo‘s opponent in the Libertadores knockout stage.
Standout Campaign in 2026
Currently, Leonardo Jardim‘s work at Flamengo is yielding significant fruits. The team leads the Campeonato Brasileiro with 60 points, maintaining a three-point lead over second-place Palmeiras. Furthermore, the Rubro-Negro has secured its spot in the Copa Libertadores semifinals, where they will face Estudiantes (ARG). Despite being eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by Vitória, the team has shown recovery, and the 2026 season points towards a strong contention for the Brasileirão and Libertadores titles. The 2026 Campeonato Carioca remains the only official trophy won by Jardim at the helm of the ‘Mais Querido’ (most beloved) to date.
