Sporting appointed Rui Borges as head coach after sacking Joao Pereira, who has been in charge of the Portuguese club for just over a month following the departure of Ruben Amorim.
Pereira takes over as Lisbon team boss Shortly after Amorim left to become Manchester United’s head coach in November, but he endured a difficult spell at the helm.
Sporting have lost four of their eight games under Pereira, dropping them to the top of the Premier League, with rivals Benfica leapfrogging them into first place.
Borges has left Vitoria Guimaraes to become Sporting boss and has signed a contract until June 2026, with an option to extend the deal by a further year.
“The time is right for me,” said Borges, whose first game is against Benfica on Sunday.
“It’s always right. I’m very positive, I believe things happen when they happen. It’s an opportunity we’ve all worked for.”
Amorim led Sporting to the league title last season and departs for a new challenge at Old Trafford after United sacked Erik ten Haag.
Borges now faces the challenge of chasing another championship and said: “I’m the leader of the Portuguese champions and I couldn’t be happier. I look at the squad and it’s the best. It’s not even time to talk about signings.”
