Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has strongly defended head coach Rui Borges, insisting his job was never in doubt following three draws in seven matches.
Speaking on the sidelines of the FPF Portugal Football Globes gala at the Cidade do Futebol, Varandas addressed recent supporter criticism and guaranteed that the executive board had not held any meetings regarding the manager's future.
Sporting CP, based in Lisbon, is one of the traditional powerhouses of Portuguese football, competing in the top-flight Primeira Liga and playing home fixtures at the José Alvalade Stadium. The Cidade do Futebol, located in Oeiras near Lisbon, serves as the technical center and official headquarters of the Portuguese Football Federation.
Managerial record and trophy achievements
Varandas drew comparisons between Borges and current Portugal national team manager Jorge Jesus, describing Jesus as one of the finest coaches he had ever worked alongside. However, the club president emphasized that even Jesus had not matched the silverware collected by Borges during his tenure at Alvalade.
Under the guidance of Borges, Sporting claimed the Portuguese league championship, completed a domestic double by winning the Taça de Portugal, and advanced further in the UEFA Champions League than in any previous campaign in the club's history.
Highlighting statistical achievements, Varandas noted that Borges holds the record for the most home victories in the Champions League for Sporting, as well as the longest streak of consecutive wins at the José Alvalade Stadium. He added that the manager boasts the lowest defeat percentage in the history of the club, having accumulated 82 points in each of his two full seasons in charge.
Handling supporter pressure and squad changes
Addressing fan discontent following the team's difficult start to the domestic season, Varandas acknowledged that pressure is an inherent aspect of football. However, he maintained that the club's board does not make management decisions based on external noise or public reaction.
To illustrate his point, the president recalled several instances where players and coaches eventually overcame intense initial scrutiny at Alvalade. Winger Francisco Trincão faced criticism for two years before proving his value, while striker Paulinho was initially dismissed as a failure before finding form. Similarly, defender Ivan Fresneda was once regarded as an ugly duckling before earning international recognition, and former manager Rúben Amorim endured heavy criticism after finishing fourth in the league. Most recently, forward Luis Suárez was subjected to whistles at the start of the current campaign before winning over supporters who now chant his name.
Varandas insisted that Sporting operates strictly through objective and rational analysis. He rejected suggestions that summer squad changes were responsible for the team's recent form, defending the quality of the new signings. Furthermore, he commended Borges for refusing to complain about refereeing decisions, noting that while other managers frequently blame external factors during press conferences, he had requested that Borges avoid such spectacles.
Individual errors in recent matches
Reflecting on the recent drop in form, Varandas highlighted specific mistakes made during the three draws against Estrela da Amadora, Famalicão, and Arouca. He labeled these errors as self-mutilation, stressing that avoidable mistakes must be eliminated from the team's performance.
The president pointed specifically to own goals and red cards, singling out defender Zeno Debast for a reckless challenge that resulted in an expulsion, as well as defender Gonçalo Inácio for scoring own goals. While expressing dissatisfaction with dropping six points, Varandas insisted that the squad possesses immense potential, creates quality scoring opportunities, and plays good football.
He called on players to maintain greater focus on the pitch, asking critics to carefully evaluate how those draws occurred rather than rushing to negative conclusions about the team's overall trajectory.
Squad updates and contract extensions
In addition to backing the manager, Varandas provided an update on player availability, specifically regarding Ba. The president explained that Ba was signed with the conscious plan of bringing him to full fitness by September, but circumstances forced him to play earlier than planned despite the associated physical risk. Varandas confirmed that Ba will be fit and available for selection in the next matchday.
Meanwhile, defender Ivan Fresneda celebrated his first call-up to the senior Spanish national team. Speaking on social media, the full-back described representing the reigning world champions as a dream come true, adding that he was eager to repay the trust shown in him by national team selectors.
Sporting also secured the future of young prospect Moncef Zekri, who signed a contract extension keeping him tied to the club until 2031 after turning 18 on Sunday. The agreement adds two years to his previous deal, even though the youngster has yet to make his official first-team debut for the club.
