Leonardo Jardim Named New Manager of Brazilian Club Cruzeiro
After a few years away from top-level European football, Leonardo Jardim has reemerged as the new head coach of Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
The Portuguese manager, who led AS Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in 2016-17, has taken charge of the Belo Horizonte-based team in Brazil’s top division. This marks Jardim’s return to a major football league after recent stints in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Jardim parted ways with UAE club Al Ain earlier this week before being announced as Fernando Diniz’s replacement at Cruzeiro. He takes over a team that finished as runners-up in last season’s Copa Sudamericana, losing to Racing Club in the final.
During his tenure at Monaco, Jardim managed over 250 matches across two spells, guiding the club to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2014-15 and the semi-finals two years later. His achievements in France earned him the Ligue 1 Manager of the Year award for the 2016-17 season.
Cruzeiro, a four-time Brazilian Serie A champion, will be hoping Jardim can bring his winning experience to help the club challenge for domestic and continental honors.