It would be an understatement to say that Ruben Amorim's departure from Sporting has been felt at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Under the charismatic 'Smiley One', a nickname given to him by former Casa Pia striker Goncalo Gregorio, Sporting were were unbeaten in both the league and Champions League this season.
After recording wins over Lille and Sturm Graz in Europe's elite competition, the 39-year-old manager saved one of his best Sporting victories for last as a hat-trick from Viktor Gyokeres sealed a historic win against Manchester City.
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Amorim ended that unforgettable four-year reign in style with a thrilling 4-2 victory in Braga.
Joao Pereira was hired to take over and at first, things looked promising. Sporting smashed six goals past third-tier side Amarante in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal but four days later, they fell to a humbling 5-1 defeat against Arsenal.
Since that loss to Mikel Arteta's side on November 26, Sporting have failed to pick up a single point in their last three games against Santa Clara, Moreirense and Club Brugge.
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That latest setback in the Champions League has sparked plenty of reaction online, with one post in particular [from 𝗙𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗢] going viral on X, formerly Twitter.
"This is so sad," he wrote. "Sporting were on track for a historic season in Europe with Amorim. Now a big money team notorious for ruining every player and manager comes in and takes their gaffer mid-season, and Sporting are doomed. They lost 4 games in a row now. Modern football sucks."
Here's how others reacted to Sporting's defeat to Club Brugge.
One fan wrote: "Sporting are about to lose their fourth consecutive match after Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United. That’s the same total of losses than in his last 51 games as manager."
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A second said: "Sporting had 18 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses in 19 games under Amorim in the league, Champions League and cup. They’ve now lost 4 games in a row since he left. Yet people still think that he didn’t work magic whilst he was there."
A third commented: "Sporting wouldn't have lost to Arsenal in the UCL if Ruben Amorim was still there. He is such a good coach. Took him years to build that team at Sporting, and I'm sure he'll do same at United with proper backing."
A fourth wrote: "The post-Amorim nightmare goes on for Sporting. 4th straight defeat. Team unrecognisable from the well-oiled machine that were sweeping all before them just a few weeks ago. Incredible collapse. The João Pereira hire evidently a mistake."
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A fifth added: "Sporting are struggling like crazy without Amorim."
Thoughts on Sporting's start to life under Pereira? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Sporting CP, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Ruben Amorim
Jack Kenmare