Europa League - Bento resigns as Sporting coach

Reuters - Fri, 06 Nov 11:43:00 2009

Sporting coach Paulo Bento has resigned following his team's 1-1 home draw against Latvian side Ventspils in the Europa League and a poor run of results at home.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Champions League Sporting de Portugal Paulo Bento / Foto: EFE - 0

"Paulo Bento presented his resignation as head coach as he understands he no longer has the conditions to be in charge of the team," the club said.

The statement said Bento's assistant Leonel Pontes would coach the team until further notice.

Bento, 40, who played for Sporting and local rivals Benfica, became Sporting coach in 2005 and led the side to four consecutive runners-up places in the league.

He was under growing pressure as a poor run of results, exacerbated by the team's unconvincing performances, had left Sporting in seventh place in the league after last season's second position.

Bento was booed throughout Thursday's match against Ventspils with fans waving white handkerchiefs to signal they wanted a change of manager.

After Sporting's 1-1 home draw with Maritimo on Sunday, police fired shots into the air to disperse a crowd of fans who showed their discontent by trying to break into the club headquarters.

Reuters

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  1. Lagartos...lagartos...VIVA O BENFICA

    From VICTOR V, on Tue 10 Nov 10:39PM

  2. Sporting Clube de Portugal is a club with the aim of­ winning the national championship at least every two­ years and Paulo Bento is for 4 without winning the­ title. He should have gone after 2 years ago. The first­ is to adapt (OK). The second is to win or at least make­ such views should be. Força Sporting!

    From Pedro, on Fri 6 Nov 3:47PM
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