Sporting Lisbon have endured an awful time since Ruben Amorim left to take over Manchester United, with his replacement set to be sacked after just eight games in charge
Sporting Lisbon are set to sack Ruben Amorim’s replacement as manager after just eight games in charge.
Joao Pereira was promoted from his role as the club’s B team boss when Amorim left to take over at Manchester United. Amorim took his entire backroom staff with him to Old Trafford and tipped Pereira for the top job.
But the former Portugal international has won just three games since his promotion. While Sporting had been top of the Primeira Liga with an unbeaten record when Amorim left, but now find themselves a point behind leaders Benfica.
Their latest slip-up came on Sunday night when they were held to a goalless draw by mid-table Gil Vincente. Despite Pereira only having been in charge for a month, Sporting chiefs have decided to act.
According to A Bola, Sporting have parted company with Pereira. They host rivals Benfica on Sunday, but Pereira will not lead them into that derby, with the club ‘unable to resist’ their awful run of form.
Sporting chiefs have been left unimpressed by a number of mistakes. They are also said to have taken into account the protests launched by supporters following the draw at Gil Vincente.
The players have been handed three days off and will return on Boxing Day. But Pereira will no longer be their manager, with Sporting said to be lining up a move for Vitoria de Guimaraes boss Rui Borges to become their new boss.
Sporting are ready to pay his release clause, with negotiations understood to be in the ‘final phase’. Speaking after Sunday’s draw, Pereira insisted he needed time to turn things around.
“I look at it and we’re continuing to improve, especially defensively. We’re not finishing in the best way. We have to train. There’s not much time, but I’m not here to make excuses. I’m the one responsible,” he said.
“Now we’re going to have a period to rest and I think it will be good for the players, to spend time with their families and disconnect a bit. They’ve been through a lot in the last month and a half.
“They’ve been warriors because they try to win every game and give their lives. We had a game four days ago where we had to win. 120 minutes… There comes a time when you feel like the freshness is no longer the same. I’m sure we’ll improve.
“We had a bad start on my part, because the players had already won 11 games in a row. The fans supported us throughout the game, it reached the end and they are free to express their opinion as they wish. They do their job, we are unable to repay them with a victory. We have to be men and take ownership of the moment.”
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