Sporting CP have sacked head coach Joao Pereira after just eight games, with Rui Borges replacing him.
Pereira took over at Sporting on November 11, signing a deal that would last until 2027 after Ruben Amorim left the club to join Manchester United.
Amorim had led the club to a perfect start in the Primeira Liga, winning their first eleven games of the season, while under him they were also unbeaten in the Champions League, winning three and drawing one.
Pereira won his first game at Sporting, beating Amarante FC 6–0 in the third round of Taca de Portugal, but has won just two games since.
They suffered consecutive defeats in the Champions League, while also falling to second place in the Portuguese top flight, one point behind Benfica over the Christmas holidays.
Welcome, Rui Borges! pic.twitter.com/YtLu1NxNJ5
— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) December 26, 2024
Borges will now step into the role, having left Vitoria Guimaraes after just seven months in charge.
The 43-year-old won 18 of his 30 games (60% win rate) and averaged 1.53 points per game in the Primeira Liga (15 games).
During his tenure he also led Vitoria to an undefeated Europa Conference League campaign (W4 D2), finishing second, one of only two teams to avoid defeat, along with Chelsea.
“The time has come for me. It is always good. I am very positive, I believe that things happen when they have to. It is an opportunity that we have all worked for,” Borges told reporters.
“I'm the leader of the Portuguese champions and I couldn't be happier… I look at the team and it's the best… It's not even time to talk about signings.”
His first assignment comes on Sunday against leader Benfica.
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