There are increasing indications of a potential return to Saudi Arabian football by veteran Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim, this time to the Saudi Professional League. Reliable sources, most notably journalist Bruno Andraï, have revealed that serious and advanced negotiations are underway between Jardim and a major Saudi club, with the aim of him taking over as head coach next season.
According to a tweet posted by Andray on his official X account, “A Saudi club is currently in advanced negotiations with coach Leonardo Jardim,” which sparked a wave of speculation about the identity of the club seeking to secure the services of a coach who has already made a clear mark in the region.
General context and historical background
Leonardo Jardim is no stranger to Saudi or Asian football. The Portuguese coach boasts an impressive track record, most notably leading AS Monaco to the French league title in the 2016-2017 season, breaking Paris Saint-Germain's dominance. He also guided the team to the Champions League semi-finals that same year, with a golden generation that included players like Kylian Mbappé and Bernardo Silva. Regionally, Jardim enjoyed a successful stint with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal during the 2021-2022 season, leading the club to its most prestigious title, the 2021 AFC Champions League, after defeating South Korea's Pohang Steelers in the final. He has also managed other clubs in the region, such as Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai and Al-Rayyan of Qatar, giving him a deep understanding of the demands and challenges of football in the Gulf.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
These negotiations come at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing a historic boom, attracting top international stars and coaches as part of a massive sporting project aimed at making it one of the top 10 leagues in the world. The return of a coach of Jardim's caliber and experience, who combines modern European tactics with knowledge of the Asian football environment, would be a significant boost to the league in general and to the club that signs him in particular.
At the local level, his arrival will give his new club a tremendous technical and morale boost, given his proven ability to build strong teams and win championships. Regionally and internationally, having a coach of Jardim's stature enhances the reputation and brand strength of the Roshan League, confirming that the project is not limited to attracting star players, but also extends to acquiring coaching talent capable of raising the technical and competitive level of the league. With the recent increase in coaching changes at several clubs, such as the departures of the coaches of Al-Riyadh and Damac, the Saudi League's coaching market appears to be still active, and Jardim could very well be the next big name to arrive in the Kingdom.
