Data reveals a drop in Flamengo’s performance in the 2026 Brazilian Serie A under Leonardo Jardim. Fans question the change, comparing it to the previous management under Filipe Luís.
Flamengo’s recent 1-1 draw against Internacional in the 21st round of the 2026 Brazilian Serie A has reignited intense discussions among the red-and-black supporters. Criticism has been directed at the work of coach Leonardo Jardim and, consequently, the decision to replace Filipe Luís at the helm of the team. The public dissatisfaction raises a crucial question: do the numbers truly confirm a decline in the team’s performance after the change?
A thorough analysis of Flamengo’s first 20 games in the 2025 and 2026 editions of the Brazilian Championship offers a clear perspective on this transformation. Comparing point conversion rates, offensive capacity, and defensive solidity reveals significant differences in the red-and-black club’s performance, helping to understand the dissatisfaction that permeates the fanbase.
Filipe Luís’ Peak in the 2025 Brazilian Serie A
Under Filipe Luís, Flamengo showed remarkable consistency in its first 20 matches of the 2025 Brazilian Serie A. The team secured 14 wins, had four draws, and suffered only two defeats, scoring 44 goals and conceding just nine to opponents. With an impressive 76.7% win rate, the team reflected a dominance and regularity that fueled its campaign.
The offensive sector was one of the major strengths, with Flamengo achieving resounding victories, such as the 8-0 win over Vitória, a 6-0 against Juventude, and a 5-0 victory over Fortaleza. This offensive power ensured a high goal difference and demonstrated the ability to decide matches with authority. Concurrently, defensive solidity was crucial to success, with the low number of goals conceded highlighting tactical balance and providing a clear competitive advantage throughout the competition.
Challenges of the Leonardo Jardim Era
In contrast, Flamengo under Leonardo Jardim has shown a more volatile performance in its first 20 games of the 2026 Brazilian Serie A. The team accumulated 11 wins, six draws, and three losses, scoring 37 goals and conceding 18. This resulted in a 65% win rate, a significantly lower figure than the previous season and directly impacted by the difficulty in maintaining winning streaks.
The high number of draws negatively affected the campaign’s momentum, limiting points even in games with greater control. There has been a noticeable drop in offensive production and an increase in goals conceded compared to the previous period. In summary, Leonardo Jardim’s squad has demonstrated less efficiency in both attack and defense, creating fewer clear opportunities and allowing more space to opponents. This scenario contributes to the growing wave of criticism towards the current coach’s work.
Filipe Luís’ Departure: An Institutional Perspective
Filipe Luís’ exit from the coaching position at Flamengo was announced on March 3, 2026, following an impressive 8-0 victory over Madureira, which secured qualification for the final of the Carioca Championship. Despite the result, the club was already assessing the start of the season as falling short of expectations, especially after defeats in important finals like the Supercup and the Recopa.
At the time, Flamengo president Luís Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, justified the decision based on collective performance. According to his assessment, the performance shown up to that point did not match the squad’s potential. The executive used an analogy to explain the change in command, stating:
when you get on the wrong train, you should get off at the first station
Bap reiterated that the choice followed strictly institutional, not personal, criteria. The understanding was that the overall performances were not aligned with the objectives set for the season. At that moment, Flamengo registered one of the worst performances among Serie A clubs, despite having a squad considered one of the strongest in the country. The president also emphasized the dedication required to integrate into the club, stating that
those who want to work at Flamengo have to be Flamengo 24 hours a day, seven days a week
reinforcing that there is no room for prioritizing individual interests. Finally, despite the criticism, Bap expressed gratitude to Filipe Luís, acknowledging his value in Flamengo’s recent history, but underscored the professional nature of the decision, focused on the club’s future.
Leonardo Jardim’s Arrival at the Red-and-Black Helm
Leonardo Jardim was announced as the new Flamengo coach on March 4, 2026, succeeding Filipe Luís. The Portuguese coach signed a contract valid until December 2027, becoming the chosen one to lead the red-and-black club’s project.
It is relevant to highlight that Leonardo Jardim was already among President Bap’s preferred choices since the end of 2025. Before agreeing with Filipe Luís, the executive had inquired about the Portuguese coach during a period of difficulties in contract renewal negotiations. However, both parties reached an agreement at the time, postponing Jardim’s arrival at Flamengo until the current juncture.
M360 Analysis: Future Perspectives
It is essential to recognize that football transcends the coldness of numbers, and any comparison between Leonardo Jardim’s work and Filipe Luís’s performance may, at times, seem like an analysis with the benefit of hindsight. However, it is undeniable that Flamengo’s performances under the Portuguese coach have fallen short of expectations, causing discontent.
The red-and-black club, which maintained the core of the 2025 championship-winning squad and even added reinforcements like Lucas Paquetá and Vitão at the start of the season, has been the target of questions. Although Jardim has managed to get the best out of some players, like Samuel Lino, the team, overall, is not delivering the expected performance from a group that won the Libertadores and the Brasileirão in 2025, and that came close to an intercontinental title against PSG (FRA).
There was an expectation of recovery after the World Cup break and the mid-season friendly matches, but recent performance showed a visible decline. However, the current scenario does not sentence the season. With about ten days of training until the next match against Vitória in the Brasileirão, Leonardo Jardim will have the opportunity to make crucial adjustments to the team and seek a turnaround. In a 38-round league championship, a change in performance could still put Flamengo back in contention for another national title.
The M360 Team
