João Pereira Dismissed as CP Sporting Manager
Rui Borges, who has been managing Vitória de Guimarães, will succeed Pereira in the post.
What?
Sporting CP has parted ways with head manager João Pereira, less than a month after he stepped into the role following Ruben Amorim’s move to Manchester United.
Rui Borges, the current manager of Vitória de Guimarães, will succeed Pereira.
Pereira’s dismissal follows a series of underwhelming performances, with just three wins in eight matches since taking over from Ruben Amorim, who left for Manchester United.
Alongside Pereira, the club also announced the dismissal of his entire coaching staff, including Tiago Teixeira, José Caldeira, and António Pina.
Details
In a statement shared on social media, the club expressed gratitude to Pereira, saying: “A Lion forever. Thank you, João Pereira.” The decision marks a turning point for the Lisbon-based team as they prepare for a critical stage in the season.
Pereira, 40, was promoted from managing Sporting’s B team to the senior squad on November 11, following Amorim’s departure to Manchester United. Despite early hopes, his tenure was marked by mixed results: three wins (two in the Portuguese Cup and one in the Primeira Liga), one draw against Gil Vicente last Sunday (0-0), and four defeats.
Sporting currently sits tied for second place in the Primeira Liga standings with FC Porto, both holding 37 points and trailing leaders Benfica by just one point. The derby clash with Benfica on Sunday in the 16th round looms large for the team.
The club scheduled a press conference for Thursday at 9:00 AM at Estádio José Alvalade, where they will unveil Rui Borges, who has been managing Vitória de Guimarães, as the new head manager.
This leadership change signals Sporting’s determination to reinforce its competitiveness as they pursue domestic and European ambitions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Borges can reignite the team’s performance in time for the critical upcoming matches.