Another Man's Treasure

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VERC-OUT-EREN

Franky Vercauteren has become the third managerial casualty at Sporting this year following their persistent poor form.

Wins have become scarce for Sporting and failure to qualify beyond the Europa League group stages has cost Vercauteren his job.

The Belgian has left the club skimming the drop zone and the situation has since prompted fans to also call for President Godinho Lopes’ resignation.

There is no concrete favourite for the job at the moment although it seems Sporting will have a preference to assign a caretaker boss meanwhile Under 19’s manager Oceano Cruz takes over for now.

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SPORTING RESULT FUELS HAVOC

Sporting fans were embroiled in confrontations all through the night following yet another poor display by the team.

The Lisbon club lost at home to bottom of the league Beira Mar and the fans were quick to take it out on things around them.

Fans voiced their concerns against President Godinho Lopes and called for his resignation as a bloody night saw Portuguese police make 71 arrests.

The supporters describe Lopes running of the club as horrific and believe he is on a mission to destroy after Sporting fumbled down the league table yet again.

Godinho Lopes refused to comment on the matter.

RESIGNATION CONFIRMS ELECTION

Sporting President Godinho Lopes has given up his post following an extensive protest by fans to get him out of the club’s hierarchy.

The decision was made largely thanks to pressure from fans and the club’s investors who have all turned their backs on the team’s leadership.

His resignation will mean Sporting will have a new president in a few weeks’ time as candidates begin to campaign.

Lopes won the election back in 2011 but disposed of three managers and drove to club into debt.

‘Os Leoes’ have had the worst ever season under Lopes command as they plummeted down the table.

The 2011 favourite Bruno de Carvalho is once again predicted to win the election after his shock defeat to Lopes along with TV pundit, Dias de Ferreira.

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NEW MAN STEPS UP

Bruno de Carvalho is the new president of Sporting Clube de Portugal.

The runner-up of the 2011 elections has been announced tonight as the new man in charge following Godinho Lopes resignation in what was a long night of vote counting.

Carvalho beat off competition from former Porto manager, Jose Couceiro and will appoint Jesualdo Ferreira as the new manager of Sporting until the end of the season.

Ferreira could yet stay beyond this season but it is not yet clear what approach Carvalho and his Portuguese, Angolan and Russian investors wish to take.

Former Sporting player and Under 19’s manager Oceano Cruz is however set to become assistant manager.

JESUALDO AT BRAGA

Jesualdo Ferreira has been announced as the new manager of Braga following the sacking of Jose Peseiro.

Jesualdo leaves Sporting after failing to get the team European football but he did manage to fight his way back to 7th place.

Sporting were struggling for form and Jesualdo managed to create some sort of hope for the Lisbon club, earning vital points such as the draw versus league champions Porto.

Fans have shown their appreciation for Jesualdo who took over following a difficult time for the club and now joins a league rival of theirs.

The manager hunt for Sporting now commences with Martin O’Neill, Sven Goran Eriksson and Pacos Ferreira boss Paulo Fonseca all likely to land the job.