Leonardo Jardim admits regret at Flamengo unveiling: "I was emotional" | OneFootball

Flamengo presented Leonardo Jardim this Thursday (05) with debut set for the Carioca final

Flamengo presented, this Thursday (05), coach Leonardo Jardim, who managed Cruzeiro in 2025. In fact, the Portuguese coach left the Belo Horizonte team with the promise that, in Brazil, he would only coach the team from Minas Gerais. Thus, the manager explained why he broke that pact.

— I said what I felt. I felt good in BH, I believed in a medium to long-term project, but life brings us surprises, I had family and personal issues that I had to resolve, — highlighted Leonardo Jardim, who added:

— At the same time, within the structure, there were some ideas different from what I believed, so the Cruzeiro chapter ended earlier. I was emotional because I believed the project would be long-term, — he stated at the press conference.

Does Jardim still think about Cruzeiro?

Also at the press conference, the new red-and-black coach admitted to some naivety, something that surprised him as a professional, since he considers himself pragmatic. So, the Portuguese coach stated that, as Flamengo's coach, he sees the Cruzeiro chapter as closed and says he is focused on the new challenge.

At the Minas Gerais club, Jardim stood out most in the Brasileirão, where he finished in third place. In total, the Belo Horizonte team scored 76 goals in 55 matches. The Cruzeiro board offered to renew his contract, but the coach cited mental fatigue.

When will Leonardo Jardim debut for Flamengo?

Under new management, Flamengo faces Fluminense this Sunday (8). The Carioca derby will take place from 6pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a single-match final of the Campeonato Carioca.

Thus, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the Flamengo vs Fluminense match through YouTube, the website, and social media. However, Globo (free-to-air TV), GE TV (YouTube), SporTV (cable channel), and Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the final.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.