Sporting Lisbon fires new manager weeks into role

Sporting Lisbon have parted ways with Joao Pereira, just over a month after he took charge following Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United.

Pereira’s tenure has ended abruptly due to the club’s unexpected decline in form.

Under Amorim, Sporting enjoyed a perfect start to the Primeira Liga season. However, Pereira’s reign saw a significant downturn, with the team losing its grip on the league’s top spot after a goalless draw against Gil Vicente last weekend. The club now trails rivals Benfica.

Pereira also struggled in the Champions League and domestic league, losing his first four matches in both competitions.

As a result, Sporting have appointed Rui Borges as the new head coach in a bid to restore their form and compete for top honors.

The 43-year-old Borges was coach of sixth-placed Vitoria Guimaraes, whom he also led to a second-placed finish in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.