Should Rui Borges stay? Bruno Mascarenhas: “It’s disappointing” | OneFootball

he believes that the Sporting world is divided over whether Rui Borges should stay. The former Sporting official acknowledges that one faction still supports the coach, while another has lost patience after the most recent results.

Speaking to Record, the current Lisbon City Council councillor explained the reasons behind that divide. “At the moment, the members are somewhat split over the coach’s future. Some support his staying on because they like Rui Borges’s personality, the way he communicates, and because they believe he is building an almost entirely new team."

Bruno Mascarenhas also highlighted the impact of the changes made to the squad, especially in midfield, but acknowledged that some fans are still affected by the defeat in the Portuguese Cup final against Torreense and by the three draws this season in matches in which Sporting had been ahead.

“Then there are other members who do not forgive the way the cup final was lost last season and have absolutely no tolerance for these results, three draws coming from games in which Sporting were actually in front. And, for the members, it is only natural that the coach gets the blame,” he said.

Asked about his own position, the former official made it clear he supports continuity: “I am one of those who believe the coach deserves a vote of confidence, precisely because he was subject to the circumstances of the transfer market and was forced to build an almost entirely new team."

Mascarenhas also believes Sporting could show a better version of themselves in the Champions League: “I believe the team will transform itself for the better in the Champions League”, he said, although he admitted that the start to the league campaign has not lived up to expectations: "Obviously, this start to the league season has been disappointing and, in football, opinions change so quickly that in just one week the coach could find the pressure for his departure increase significantly."

The international break is seen as an opportunity for Rui Borges to work on some of the team’s collective issues. “It is good for the coach to refine the team’s automatisms. It will allow them to calm down and work in a relaxed way,” he explained.

For Bruno Mascarenhas, the main weakness has been identified. “The biggest shortcomings are in defensive support. That is where there have been the most mistakes. It has exposed the centre-backs far too much. Perhaps that is why Sporting still have not found the right first-choice pairing,” he concluded.

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