Ruben Amorim successor sacked just six weeks after coach took Man Utd job

Joao Pereira has been sacked by Sporting CP (Image: Getty)

Sporting Lisbon have abruptly sacked Joao Pereira just six weeks after he stepped in to replace Ruben Amorim. Pereira, who was previously in charge of Sporting's B team, was promoted when Amorim departed for Manchester United, taking his entire coaching staff to Old Trafford and endorsing Pereira for the top role.

However, the gamble on Pereira's first senior position has backfired, with only three wins under his belt in eight matches. Sporting, once leaders of the Primeira Liga with an unbeaten streak during Amorim's tenure, now trail behind Benfica by a point.

Their most recent setback was a stalemate against Gil Vincente on Sunday night, a disappointment that proved too much for the club's hierarchy, leading to Pereira's dismissal in the early hours of Boxing Day. Sporting president Frederico Varandas conceded that the venture hadn't gone as hoped but attributed Pereira's difficulties to an injury crisis and questionable refereeing decisions.

"I would like to say a special word to former coach Joao Pereira. He came in at a time we are all familiar with, an extremely complicated and challenging challenge. The truth is that both we at Sporting and Joao, unfortunately, came to the conclusion that it did not go well," Varandas acknowledged.

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"We knew about the difficulties, we knew about the brutal emotional shock caused by Ruben Amorim's departure. We believe that he truly experienced Murphy's Law. He experienced a wave of injuries that we have never had before, and a wave of unfortunate refereeing decisions, which damaged the coach's career.

Ruben Amorim has left Marcus Rashford out for three straight games (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"It was a logical choice to continue the process, but today, looking back, the main problem was that Joao Pereira could not be Joao Pereira. We lost Ruben Amorim, but we also could not have Joao Pereira. If it had been another coach, unfortunately this would have happened."

Sporting have swiftly appointed Vitoria de Guimaraes boss Rui Borges as their new manager. His first match is a derby against Benfica on Sunday, and Varandas is confident that Borges will succeed where Pereira did not.

"I have no doubt that Rui Borges will be able to be Rui Borges. Why such a confident presentation? That's my concept of leadership. I don't care if I'm going to be weakened if things go wrong, I care about what I can do to give strength and motivation," he added. "Internal communication is more important than external communication. I only regret not having been able to help Joao more. When he is Joao Pereira, he will have his due success and merit.

"We are turning the page to the future. Rui Borges, a coach we have had on our radar for over a year, a coach who has built his career with great effort. We recognise in Rui Borges not only his game plan and his competence, but also a man who leads by example, by his simple words, a man whom his players follow."

Ruben Amorim successor sacked just six weeks after coach took Man Utd job

Ruben Amorim successor sacked just six weeks after coach took Man Utd job

Ruben Amorim successor sacked just six weeks after coach took Man Utd job

Ruben Amorim successor sacked just six weeks after coach took Man Utd job

Ruben Amorim successor sacked just six weeks after coach took Man Utd job