Just a few weeks ago, Rúben Amorim was considered Portugal's next big thing in coaching.
Football experts confirmed that the 37-year-old had what it takes for a career à la José Mourinho, in the summer he was traded as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino at Paris St-Germain.
Currently, however, the glory of Amorim, who led Sporting Lisbon to second place in the Portuguese championship and thus to the Champions League, is somewhat over.
Thomas Klemm
sports editor.
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Sporting started the season badly and is only eighth after five games.
At least there was a 2-0 win in Estoril on Friday.
Amorim's tactical decisions are met with incomprehension.
So he suddenly ordered the left winger and top scorer Pedro Gonçalves to midfield.
Or he temporarily sent central defender Sebastián Coates into the center of the attack because he was a better header than the rest. Amorim admitted that the situation was difficult at the moment: "But Sporting are going the way they should."
The path inevitably looks like this: The capital club rejuvenates and cheapens the squad, has had to let two of the strongest players go in midfielder Matheus Nunes (for 45 million euros to Wolverhampton Wanderers) and left-back Nuno Mendes (for 38 million euros to PSG).
There are many young players left who sometimes seem overwhelmed in the current phase.
Saved against Cristiano Ronaldo
"It's always the same," Amorim complained after the recent home defeat against Chaves, "after defeats you only see empty spaces everywhere." He remains true to his line of working with players who can develop.
The former national player is said to have vehemently opposed a possible commitment from Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to media reports, Amorim is said to have said that if the superstar came, he would terminate his contract.
Sporting President Frederico Varandas felt compelled to back the coach and his kickers.
Amorim is "one of the best coaches in the world".
Nevertheless, the nervousness is great before the Champions League game this Wednesday (6.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on DAZN) at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Captain Coates tried to calm things down via social media: "We accept our responsibility at this stage and together we will ensure a turnaround."
Among those expected to contribute to the turnaround are centre-back Jeremiah St Juste, who joined from FSV Mainz 05, and Sotiris Alexandropoulos, who joined from Panathinaikos Athens earlier last week.
He's always dreamed of the Champions League," said the Greek striker. "I wouldn't have made it without Sporting." The 20-year-old is probably too green to calm things down.