Ruben Amorim's replacement is brutally SACKED with just six minutes left of Christmas Day, as Sporting Lisbon wield the axe after dramatic drop in form since his move to Manchester United
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Sporting Lisbon failed to spread the festive cheer on Christmas Day as they sacked manager Joao Pereira, just over a month after he replaced Ruben Amorim. Pereira, 40, was a former full back who enjoyed three separate spells playing for the club. After retiring, Pereira moved into coaching with the Portuguese outfit, spending two years in charge of their Under 23 team, before he was promoted to lead Sporting's reserve side at the start of this season.
![[Pereira had stepped into the Sporting hotseat after Amorim's emotional exit to Man United]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/07/93489825-14226887-image-a-2_1735198198085.jpg)
However, the 40-year-old won just three of his eight games in charge after assuming control of the first team on November 11, suffering a particularly heavy and damaging home 5-1 defeat by Arsenal in the Champions League. In fact, Pereira became the first Sporting boss in history to lose four of his first five games as manager, although his side had shown signs of turning things around with a three-game unbeaten run heading into Christmas.
![[Sporting's form had suffered a dramatic dip as they won three of eight games with Pereira]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/07/93489823-14226887-image-a-3_1735198220211.jpg)
Yet, this didn't save Pereira as the club announced news of his dismissal with a short statement at 11.54pm on Christmas Day. Sporting Lisbon sacked manager Joao Pereira, who replaced Ruben Amorim, on Christmas Day. Pereira had stepped into the Sporting hotseat after Amorim's emotional exit to Man United.
![[Despite signing a contract until 2027, Pereira was cast aside by Sporting at 11.54pm yesterday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/07/93489821-14226887-image-a-4_1735198275929.jpg)
Sporting's form had suffered a dramatic dip as they won three of eight games with Pereira. 'A Lion forever. Thank you, João Pereira,' it read. Pereira's appointment came after Amorim departed the club last month to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
![[The news was announced in a short statement that read: 'A Lion forever, thank you Joao']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/07/93490067-14226887-image-a-6_1735198977089.jpg)
