Born in Barcelona, Venezuela to Portuguese parents who had settled in the country, Jardim returned to Portugal at a very young age, relocating to the island of Madeira. In 2001, aged only 27, he started his managerial career, working as assistant at local club A.D. Camacha for two years. Subsequently, Jardim was promoted to head coach at the third division side, before moving to G.D. Chaves in the same division midway through the 2007–08 campaign. He led the northerners to promotion to the Segunda Liga in 2008-09, his only full season. On 2 June 2009, Jardim was hired by S.C. Beira-Mar, and achieved another promotion in 2009–10, this time to the Primeira Liga. He stepped down midway through the 2010–11 season, even though the Aveiro team was performing above most expectations.
Braga
In May 2011, Jardim replaced Sporting CP-bound Domingos Paciência at the helm of S.C. Braga. He led the Minho club to third place in his only season – posting a record of 15 consecutive league wins in the process– but left after a disagreement with the president.
Jardim agreed to return to the country of his parents on 20 May 2013, signing a two-year deal with Sporting. Leading a team full of young players developed in the club's youth academy, he coached the Lisbon team to second place in 2013–14, with 25 points and 18 goals more than the previous season.
Monaco
On 10 June 2014, Jardim joined AS Monaco FC, signing a contract for two years with the option for another. He led the team to third place in Ligue 1 in his first year, and repeated the feat in 2015–16; in between, on 12 May 2015, he agreed to an extension until 2019. In the 2016–17 campaign, displaying attacking football, particularly by several young players, Monaco won its first national championship in 17 years. The side also reached the semi-finals in both the UEFA Champions League and the Coupe de France, and lost the final of the Coupe de la Ligue to Paris Saint-Germain FC. In early June 2017, Jardim agreed a new deal until 2020. On 11 October 2018, following a poor start to the season which included two losses in as many Champions League group stage matches, Jardim was sacked. On 25 January 2019, following the dismissal of Thierry Henry, he was reappointed. Jardim was again relieved of his duties in late December 2019.
