Jardim Appointed Al-Hilal Head Coach
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Saudi Pro League champion Al-Hilal SFC announced on Tuesday that Portuguese Leonardo Jardim will be its new head coach for the coming season.
The 46-year-old Jardim, who replaces interim boss José Morais, will arrive in Riyadh a week before the players return to pre-season training.
Jardim started his career as an assistant coach with several Portuguese clubs before taking charge of Ad Camacha in 2003. He rose to fame after leading Beira-Mara to the top flight in Portugal, where he also coached Sporting Braga.
Jardim moved to Greece in 2012, leading Olympiacos to the Greek League and Cup titles before returning to Portugal where he coached giant Sporting Lisbon.
In 2014, he joined French outfit AS Monaco and led the team to its first French League title in 17 years and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Al-Hilal will be counting on the experience of the Portuguese coach to lead the team in the 2021 AFC Champions League, with a Round of 16 tie against Iran's Esteghlal next for the 2019 winner.
