Ruben Amorim’s successor announced

Sporting CP have officially announced the appointment of Joao Pereira as their new head coach following Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United.

Pereira has signed a contract that runs until 2027 and his first game in charge will come against Amarante FC after the November international.

The 40-year-old retired from professional football in 2021, having racked up 154 appearances for Sporting across three separate spells at the club, and he has been involved in the Sporting CP coaching set-up ever since.

READ MORE: How Man Utd will line up under Ruben Amorim

He spent two years in charge of Sporting’s U23 side before taking over the club’s B team this summer.

Pereira’s side have won every game so far this season and he was lined up to replace Amorim as soon as Man Utd agreed a deal to appoint the Portuguese tactician.

READ MORE: Van Nistelrooy is the problem Amorim didn’t need

Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting CP

Amorim will officially start duties at Man Utd when his UK work permit application is approved and preparations for his first game in charge against Ipswich Town will therefore soon begin.

Following his final home game at Sporting – a 4-1 Champions League victory over Manchester City last week – Amorim urged fans to be patient with Pereira.

“It’s always difficult to replace a coach, especially when you’re winning,” Amorim said.

“The coach who comes in will have a good legacy because he has very good people working with him, there’s a very good atmosphere at the stadium, the team are in the playoff spots in the Champions League.

“The demands make it all very difficult, but there will be a lot of people supporting him and he’ll never feel alone. That was very important for me; I never felt alone.

“There will be a structure at the club, which has been gained in recent years, a lot of support from the stands and an intelligent fanbase. I’m sure the fans will give the next coach time.”