Should Ruben Amorim stay another ten days or should he have already left? The coach has his bags ready for Manchester United, but Frederico Varandas wants him to stay another ten days and play the games with E. Amadora, Man. City and Sp. Braga.
Bruno Andrade, commentator, and Sérgio Pereira, editor-in-chief of Maisfutebol, have different opinions and exchange arguments, in this discussion in which the reader can also participate.
THREE REASONS TO GO NOW, by Bruno Andrade
Delay in the process
Ruben Amorim wants to leave. There are uncomfortable players. There is no climate for continuing work. A job that could – and should – be taken on now by João Pereira. Turn the page soon. Accelerate the process of assimilation of the squad and, consequently, of rapport with the new technical committee. There will be ten fewer days of work for the new technician.
Distrust
João Pereira has been prepared for months to replace Ruben Amorim. I believe, then, that he did his homework and studied his new charges well. If the structure is so convinced of it, why not implement it as soon as possible? It ends up sending a message of some distrust in betting on the successor, who, regardless of the context, would already come under pressure.
Public bullying
Unnecessary exposure of the image of the greatest coach in Sporting's history, who, from now on, has nothing left to gain. Zero. It's practically a kind of public punishment. In the streets. In stadiums. In the six (!) collectives. Who knows, even in history books.
THREE REASONS TO STAY, by Sérgio Pereira
Message to the market
First of all, Sporting has to send a message to the market: the club is not an open bar. They cannot arrive in Lisbon with a bag full of money, to take the best coach in Leonine history, and be welcomed with a hug and a smile. His reputation as a tough negotiator is built slowly and takes a long time, but he does not admit concessions. Clubs have to know that they have to fight and suffer to get the best out of Alvalade.
Time for João Pereira
Let's be practical: taking over the team with three games in ten days (two of which are with Man. City and Sp. Braga) or taking on two weeks to work, is not quite the same thing. It's not even a question of not trusting João Pereira: if they didn't, they wouldn't hire him. The truth is that the new coach would have one day (!) to prepare some matches. Even if it is a bet on continuity, there is a lot of adaptation that is necessary: getting to know the players, how they train, how they behave on internship, how they react to certain words, how they face challenges. And, of course, players need to know João Pereira, know his leadership and the way he likes to work. There's a long way to go, and you need time.
Team defense
Even if Ruben Amorim is upset, even if the players are upset and feel betrayed by a coach who always asked to put the group before personal interests, even if this is all true, yes sir, it is easier for the team to face the Man. City and Sp. Braga with Amorim's experience on the bench, than with João Pereira's uncertainty. Even if everyone is angry, they will surely give their lives to win. For the team it is more comfortable to do this with the man behind so many victories.
