‘Clash’ of two young European coaches with a lot at stake
REPORTS HAVE STATED THAT BOTH ARE ON A POTENTIAL SHORTLIST OF SUCCESSORS TO ARSENE WENGER, SHOULD THE FRENCHMAN’S LONG REIGN AT ARSENAL COME TO AN END
There is just a year in age between them, neither had a distinguished playing career and both have been linked with moves to the Premier League, so Leonardo Jardim and Thomas Tuchel have plenty in common.
They are two of Europe’s most exciting younger coaches, but only one will take his team into the last four of the Champions League as Monaco and Borussia Dortmund meet in their quarterfinal second leg on Wednesday.
Regardless of what happens at the Stade Louis II -- where Monaco will kick off with a 3-2 lead from the first leg -- Jardim and Tuchel will continue to be linked to jobs at supposedly bigger European clubs in the coming months.
English media reports have stated that both are on a potential shortlist of successors to Arsene Wenger, should the Frenchman’s long reign at Arsenal finally come to an end. Jardim has also been talked about in Italy in relation to the Juventus job amid suggestions that Massimiliano Allegri could move on. Tuchel’s name has come up in speculation about who will replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona.
“I don’t know. I am so focused on Monaco that I’m not thinking about my future. I have two more years on my contract and I feel good,” Jardim, 42, told Portuguese sports daily O Jogo in an interview last month when asked if he was considering moving on.
Tuchel, 43, was less expansive when pressed on his own future a couple of months ago, replying: “I’m on a contract with Dortmund and I’m happy here.” Both are still fighting for a major honour as a coach, but they have each had to prove themselves in their profession without having been players of any note.
Born in Venezuela, Jardim grew up on the island of Madeira -- better known as the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo -- and he started coaching there with lower-league Camacha in his late 20s.
Jardim studied physical education at university in Madeira but he left that career behind to coach on the mainland when the chance arose and he has never looked back. His showing in charge of Sporting Lisbon paved the way for him to succeed Claudio Ranieri at Monaco in 2014 and, after some initial difficulties, he has made them the most spectacular side in Europe this season.
Monaco are top of Ligue 1 and in the French Cup semifinals while still pursuing their European dream.