Former Sporting director says Hjulmand questioned Rui Borges' status | OneFootball

Morten Hjulmand’s remarks in the aftermath of the draw with Arsenal, which sealed Sporting’s elimination in the Champions League quarter-finals, continue to cause debate in the Sporting world. The captain described the match as “boring” for the spectators, a view that contrasted with Rui Borges’ at the press conference.

On the sidelines of that match, the Danish international’s agent, Ivan Marko Benes, also addressed the midfielder’s future in comments to CMTV. Meanwhile, several voices linked to the Club commented on the matter, including Jaime Marta Soares, former president of the General Assembly Board, who criticised the player — but not only him.

“Sporting have shown that things are going well. And the coach has had a hand in that — a very humble, human, hardworking man who has been making things work in his favour. But he does not have the status to shield these kinds of attitudes. What Hjulmand said was very strong and profound. He may be a great coach, but there is the issue of status. I have never questioned his professionalism, honesty or competence. But he does not have the status for Sporting. And this Hjulmand issue confirms that, it undermines the coach. He is captain, and he has done things as captain where he could already have been sent off along with the referees, because sometimes he goes too far. He is a great captain and an extraordinary player, but he cannot have certain attitudes. Most referees have allowed him to push the limits and end up abusing that. The coach should tell him that it should not be like that. A captain must act at the right time, with elegance and tact, and while respecting the rules. At times he spoils the picture with the attitudes he takes,” he said.

The former official also addressed the strong possibility of the midfielder leaving at the end of the season, making an appeal to Sporting’s hierarchy. “I would not like to see him leave Sporting. He is an extraordinary player. The president has a sporting plan and it also involves Sporting’s finances. But it must be balanced so that the good players and the heart of the team do not go away. And certainly not for amounts that are not a reward for everything Sporting have done for him. He also owes something to Sporting — he was an unknown player. Nobody knew Gyökeres either; he arrived here and it was Sporting who enhanced his value. Sporting have to make the most of their role throughout the process. Either he is sold very well or, if he leaves for the price being mentioned, I do not understand. He should not be sold for less than 70 or 80 million euros. Financially, Sporting must be able to keep hold of the player. I want to believe in the people involved and that Sporting are in a good financial position, as well as in sporting terms. I salute the work that has been done. But I do not believe there is a catch in the middle, because I hope things are not as concrete as they have been making out in financial terms,” he said, recalling that the captain’s release clause is set at 80 million euros.

On the possibility of there being an agreement to facilitate his departure below that amount, Jaime Marta Soares was clear: “He is an indispensable player. If there is a pact, the members should know about it. They are the institution’s ‘alma mater’, and there has to be clarity. There can be no hidden pacts or cats hidden with their tails sticking out. There has to be honesty and clarity.”

It should be recalled that, as our newspaper previously reported, there is an understanding between Hjulmand and the board led by Frederico Varandas to allow a summer transfer for an amount below the clause, with the negotiating benchmark pointing to 40 million euros.

Even so, unlike what happened in the past with Viktor Gyökeres, the former MAG president believes there will not be another “soap opera” surrounding the Danish midfielder. “We have to learn from our mistakes. Sporting have already made some mistakes, from the time when there were several coaches to the poorly handled departure of Ruben Amorim. Then there was the Gyö exit case. There are things no one understands. If this situation comes next [with Hjulmand], it is another one that truly will not be understandable. The asset has to be valued. Agreements like this between the parties are natural. The coach must also define the team’s planning. Great teams must have a great leader to go far. They must have someone to drive them and make them function. If there is any backroom deal, it is very bad and just another soap opera that falls outside the script,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.