Born in
Funchal, Jardim began his career with the B-side of the under-13 squad of
Leixões in 1999. He had his first senior managerial experience in 2003, with
UD Santana, after previously managing their under-19 squad in the previous season. In 2006, after another senior experience at the helm of
CF Caniçal, Jardim joined
Marítimo as a coach of the under-17 team. During his two-year spell, he won two regional titles and also worked as an assistant of
Nélson Caldeira and
Mitchell van der Gaag in
the B-team. After a brief stint at
Nacional's youth sides, Jardim joined
Paulo Sousa's staff at
Swansea City and
Leicester City, both as fitness coach. On 5 June 2011, he was named
Ivo Vieira's assistant back at Nacional. Jardim returned to the Swans in 2017 as a lead academy coach, later working as a first team coach under
Francesco Guidolin,
Paul Clement and
Carlos Carvalhal. In August 2020, he was announced as a part of
Aitor Karanka's new backroom staff at
Birmingham City. On 25 June 2022, Jardim was named head coach of Marítimo B. On 27 May 2024, he left the club after two years in charge. Jardim returned to the United Kingdom on 2 July 2024, joining the
EFL League Two side
Newport County coaching staff as lead coach while the
South Wales club continued their search for a new
head coach. However, on 16 July 2024, Jardim was announced as Newport County head coach. Jardim left Newport County by mutual consent on 24 April 2025 with the club in 20th position in League Two and safe from relegation with two games to play of the 2024–25 season. ==Managerial statistics==