The ghost of Ruben Amorim and the unintentional problem Manchester United have created
It was only a matter of weeks ago that Sporting Lisbon were sweeping aside Manchester City amid a Champions League cacophony. Those cheers have turned to jeers.
Ruben Amorim has departed for Manchester United and Sporting have subsequently collapsed. They were thumped 5-1 at home by Arsenal in Europe and having won nine from nine in the league under Amorim, have lost their two top flight matches since his departure.
Santa Clara and Moreirense have both beaten Sporting and in a home defeat to the latter on Thursday night, the Lisbon natives waved white handkerchiefs to signify their discontent. There were loud whistles from the stands while chants of 'play football' echoed around the stadium.
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It was not meant to be this way. Sporting had over-achieved under Amorim but his successor has not found it easy. Joao Pereira was promoted from within and took over a well-oiled winning machine, moulded under Amorim and with a clear style and identity.
Pereira bemoaned the 'childish' goals conceded against Moreirense while Sporting were the better side in a 1-0 loss to top four outfit Santa Clara yet couldn't take their chances. It's prompted as much Amorim chat in Portugal as there has been in England, with Manchester United's gain very much looking like Sporting's loss.
Indeed Pereira was asked whether Amorim had become a ghost in Lisbon, a figure still looming large despite being 1,500 miles away in Manchester. An ex manager haunting his former side.
"I don't believe in ghosts," said Pereira. "He helped Sporting and these players a lot and he's not a ghost at all.
"He wasn't the one who lifted the ball to hit the bar," added Pereira, referencing one of the missed chances against Moreirense. "We had everything, except the goals. But I don't believe in ghosts."
As we approach the festive period, Pereira will hope Amorim can be consigned as the ghost of Christmas past. He'll want brighter times from the ghosts of Christmas present and future.
