Coach João Pereira is the right choice to lead Sporting to the title of two-time national football champion, in a logic of “continuity”. This is the understanding of Filipe Pedro, leader of the first technical committee integrated by the new coach of the main team.
“If the objective is to continue the process, make a light transition and make the most of what has been done, I believe so, it is João [Pereira]”, the former coach of Sporting’s under-23s told Lusa agency, asked if the new coach of the “green and whites” is the right choice to lead the “lions” to their second title.
At the beginning of 2021-22, João Pereira “hung up his boots” as a player as national champion, under the command of Ruben Amorim, and joined Filipe Pedro’s technical team, where he arrived “still with the mindset of player”.
“That first impact” with the new reality “was important” for the former right-back, who “grew a lot” as a coach, but also for the team he was part of at that time, due to “the knowledge of the game that he had the ability to drink throughout his career” and which he transmitted.
His arrival as head coach of the “lions” ends up surprising “everyone”, because “it was not expected that Ruben [Amorim] left so quickly”, even if João Pereira “had such a rapid rise”.
But Filipe Pedro believes that it is precisely the fact that Sporting is going through “such a good moment” in terms of football quality that justifies the decision of “whoever is in the lead” and “hopes to continue what is being done”.
“In this sense, John [Pereira] fits perfectly. Worked with Ruben [Amorim]he knows the methods, the training, the players, the house and he also has enough intelligence and humility to understand that the important thing now is to continue and make a light transition, so that the players don’t feel too much and it is possible to take the maximum yield than what has already been done”, noted Filipe Pedro.
“Strong personality”
The fact of knowing the players, however, is one of the “two issues that could be challenges” for the new “Leonine” coach, but which, “at the same time, could be favorable”.
The first is, as a coach, having only been through the youth teams. But his former team manager believes that this “was important for him to grow”, as “the training provides space for brutal growth” at the beginning of his career and “it won’t be difficult to adapt to the [futebol] professional, because it has always been his environment and it is where he wants to be”.
“The second challenge” will be “having to deal with players who were his locker room teammates.” “This can sometimes be a challenge. But, on the other hand, it can also be a plus point if you use it correctly. The two challenges, the two difficulties, can be two plus points”, summarized the coach , now assistant to Pedro Gonçalves in the Angolan national team.
Another point in João Pereira’s favor is having worked “not only with Ruben Amorim, in the final phase”, but “also with Jorge Jesus”, who “were two very important people for him” and from whom he “drank” a lot of knowledge.
“Not only the leadership characteristics, although, later, there is also his profile and that will always come to the fore. But, in terms of the game, without a doubt he has some bases and ideas that come from two coaches as competent as we have seen”, commented the coach.
Speaking in profile, Filipe Pedro reminded the Lusa agency of João Pereira’s “characteristic drive” and his “strong personality”. “It’s something he had as a player and also carries over to his role as a coach, managing to pass that on to the athletes he works with”, revealed João Pereira’s first team leader as a coach.
