Leonardo Jardim reveals behind-the-scenes details of his move to Flamengo and the reason he couldn’t refuse the club.
After the draw between Flamengo and Cruzeiro in the Libertadores, coach Leonardo Jardim was questioned about his departure from the Minas Gerais club and his agreement with the Rubro-Negro. In an interview, the Portuguese manager detailed the reasons that led him to change his plans, including a promise not to coach another Brazilian team.
The decision for Flamengo
Jardim explained that his initial intention was to remain in the Middle East, but a conflict in the region thwarted his plans. It was in this scenario that the opportunity to lead Flamengo arose. He emphasized the club’s magnitude, stating that:
No one can say no to Flamengo.
The coach described it as the biggest club in South America. He also acknowledged apologizing for a previous statement about not working for another team in Brazil but reaffirmed his peace of mind regarding his choices.
Stint at Cruzeiro and repercussions
The Portuguese coach was in charge of Cruzeiro between February and December 2025, securing third place in the Brazilian Championship in 55 matches. At the time, he cited burnout and personal issues for his departure.
The agreement with Flamengo, finalized in March 2026, caused strong negative repercussions among Cruzeiro fans. At the Mineirão stadium, the coach was the target of protests, including insults and the distribution of counterfeit money, highlighting the fans’ resentment.
Next confrontation
The reunion between Leonardo Jardim and the Cruzeiro fans will happen at a decisive moment in the Copa Libertadores da América. Next Wednesday (19), at the Maracanã stadium, the teams will face each other again, with kickoff at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), competing for a spot in the quarterfinals.
With a 1-1 draw in the first leg, any tie will lead to a penalty shootout.
