United Beyond Manchester

Ruben Amorim had Sporting performing exceptionally well before he joined Manchester United. The Lions were at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and ranked third in the Champions League. However, after just six weeks in charge, new manager João Pereira led the club into disarray, causing them to drop to 2nd place in the league and 17th in the Champions League. As a result of this poor performance, Pereira was sacked less than two months after taking over the role.

Sporting won three of eight games with Pereira in charge, a far cry from the success under Amorim. Viktor Gyorkeres’s form took a noticeable dip under the 40-year-old, as he scored just three times in those eight matches.

Ruben Amorim’s success at Sporting was nothing short of exceptional, as he secured two Primeira Ligas, two League Cups, and a Super Cup. The stark contrast in form under Pereira surely doomed the new manager sooner than many would have thought.

Sporting paid tribute to Pereira in a post on X, saying: “A Lion forever. Thank you, João Pereira.”