Sporting CP have sacked head coach Joao Pereira after just eight matches in charge, with Rui Borges replacing him.

Pereira took over at Sporting on 11 November, signing a deal that would run through to 2027 after Ruben Amorim left the club to join Manchester United.

Amorim had led the club to a perfect start in the Primeira Liga, winning their first 11 games of the season, while they were also unbeaten in the Champions League under him, winning three and drawing one.

Pereira won his first game in charge of Sporting, thrashing Amarante FC 6-0 in the Taca de Portugal third round, but has since won just two matches.

They suffered consecutive Champions League defeats, while also falling to second in the Portuguese top-flight, sitting one point behind Benfica during the Christmas break.

Welcome, Rui Borges! pic.twitter.com/YtLu1NxNJ5

— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) December 26, 2024

Borges will now step into the role, having left Vitoria Guimaraes after just seven months in charge.

The 43-year-old won 18 of his 30 games in charge (60%-win rate) and averaged 1.53 points per game in the Primeira Liga (15 games).

During his tenure, he also led Vitoria through an unbeaten Europa Conference League campaign (W4 D2) to finish second, one of only two teams to avoid defeat, along with Chelsea.

"The time for me is right. It's always right. I'm very positive, I believe things happen when they have to. It's an opportunity we've all worked for," Borges told reporters.

"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."

His first assignment will come against the league leaders Benfica on Sunday.