Sporting announce Ruben Amorim replacement as Man Utd move forces bold decision

Sporting Lisbon have finally announced their replacement for departing head coach Ruben Amorim, who has left the Portuguese giants to take charge of Manchester United

Sporting Lisbon have appointed B team head coach Joao Pereira as Ruben Amorim's replacement for the senior side.

Amorim has left the Portuguese giants to take over as Manchester United boss. His last game came on Sunday evening as Sporting came from two goals down to beat Braga 4-2.

The 39-year-old is hoping to bring much of his coaching staff with him to Old Trafford. As a result, Sporting have been forced into a bold move, with Pereira stepping up from the B team.

Pereira spent three seperate spells at Sporting as a player, as well as representing Portugal at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup. The former right-back moved into coaching after his retirement and has most recently been leading Sporting's B team.

It has also been confirmed that Carlos Fernandes, Adélio Cândido, Emanuel Ferro, Jorge Vital and Carlos Barreira will also join Amorim's staff at United. Pereira will instead be supported by Tiago Teixeira, António Calça e Pina and José Caldeira.

Sporting are looking to win back-to-back Portuguese league titles for the first time since 1954. Amorim leaves with the club having won all 11 of their opening league matches.

After the win over Braga, Amorim made it clear he would be fully supporting his replacement. And he backed the new Sporting boss to continue to bring success to the club.

"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."

Fernandes, who will become Amorim's assistant at United, confirmed his exit from Sporting on Monday morning. He paid tribute to the club and the players for their work during Amorim's reign.

He said: "The adventure that changed my life… So many moments that I will cherish forever. There is no other feeling other than eternal gratitude towards those who helped us create something so special: players for whom there are no words, colleagues who became friends and everyone who always supported us. Thank you very much!!"

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