Sporting fires Rubén Amorim as Joao Pereira’s successor and appoints Rui Borges

Sporting have sacked coach Joao Pereira just six weeks after appointing him to succeed Rubén Amorim.

Pereira took over as coach of the Lisbon team shortly after Amorim left to become Manchester United manager in November, but the former Sporting B manager had a difficult spell in charge.

Sporting lost four of their eight games under Pereira, 40, which has seen them lose top spot in the Primeira Liga, while rivals Benfica snatched away top spot.

Rui Borges has left Vitoria Guimaraes to replace Pereira and has signed a contract until June 2026, with the option of an additional one-year extension.

“For me it’s the right time,” said Borges, 43, whose first game will be against Benfica on Sunday.

“It’s always right. I’m very positive, I believe things happen when they have to happen. It’s an opportunity we’ve all worked for.”

Amorim led Sporting to the league title last season and left for a new challenge at Old Trafford after United sacked Erik ten Hag.

Borges now faces the challenge of pursuing a new championship and stated: “I am the leader of the Portuguese champion and I couldn’t be happier. I look at the squad and it is the best. It is not even the time to talk about signings.”