Sporting confirm Ruben Amorim replacement

Sporting Lisbon have named B-team head coach Joao Pereira as the replacement for Ruben Amorim, who has left the Portuguese club to take over as Manchester United’s new manager.

Amorim’s departure follows a successful tenure at Sporting, where he guided the team to a 4-2 comeback win over Braga on Sunday, in what was his final match in charge.

The 39-year-old is expected to bring much of his coaching staff to Old Trafford, prompting Sporting to make a swift decision.

Pereira, who had been leading the club’s B team, steps up to take the reins of the senior side.

Pereira is no stranger to Sporting, having played for the club in three separate spells during his career. He also represented Portugal at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.

Following his playing career, Pereira transitioned into coaching and most recently managed Sporting’s B team.

Alongside Pereira, it has been confirmed that Carlos Fernandes, Adélio Cândido, Emanuel Ferro, Jorge Vital, and Carlos Barreira will join Amorim’s backroom staff at Manchester United.

Pereira will be supported by Tiago Teixeira, António Calça e Pina, and José Caldeira at Sporting.

Amorim departs with Sporting sitting at the top of the Primeira Liga, having won all 11 of their opening matches. The club is aiming to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since 1954.

Following the victory over Braga, Amorim expressed his full support for his successor, backing Pereira to continue Sporting’s success and maintain their strong form.

“I’m going to support him, there will be a coach, a structure. The truth is that from tomorrow I’ll be the same, but with a different shirt. Focused on my work, creating a relationship with the new players, because that’s how I work,” he said.

“I just support and believe in the new coach and that they’ll be at Marquês, especially because I’m also a champion.

“I am so confident that he will add new things that a coach who has been here for five years has not been able to see.

“A coach sells an idea, he will not sell someone else’s.

“I am confident, because he is competent, but he may not be so lucky.

“Sometimes it is good to have a new person looking at the team and understanding what they can and cannot do.

“He is very intelligent.”

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