Sporting Lisbon Shocks Fans by Sacking New Coach Within Weeks
Sporting Lisbon has dismissed head coach João Pereira just over a month after his appointment, following a series of disappointing results. Pereira, who took over from Ruben Amorim on November 11, 2024, managed only three wins in eight matches, including four consecutive losses—a first in the club’s history.
The club announced Pereira’s departure on December 25, 2024, and promptly appointed Rui Borges as his successor. Borges, who previously managed Vitória de Guimarães, has signed a contract with Sporting until June 2026, with an option for an additional year. Sporting paid Vitória €4.1 million for Borges’s services.
Borges’s tenure at Vitória was marked by success, including leading the team to the knockout stages of the Conference League as an unbeaten side. He now faces the immediate challenge of preparing Sporting for a crucial top-of-the-table match against Benfica on Sunday.
Pereira’s dismissal came after a goalless draw with Gil Vicente, which left Sporting, the reigning Portuguese champions, trailing Benfica by one point in the league standings. His short stint was marred by a record of four defeats in his first five games, a negative milestone for the club.