Sporting president previously tried to hire Abel Ferreira more than once | OneFootball

Sporting have long admired Abel Ferreira and have tried to hire the Palmeiras coach more than once. According to Globo.com, president Frederico Varandas has previously said he was turned down when Ferreira was at PAOK in 2019, and PAOK’s hierarchy did not accept Sporting’s bid.

Ferreira left for Brazil the following year to take charge of Palmeiras.

He remained on Sporting’s radar after Ruben Amorim departed and successor João Pereira was dismissed at the end of 2024. Preparing for the Club World Cup with Palmeiras, he stayed in Brazil, and his salary also exceeded what Sporting could pay.

Ferreira’s ties with Sporting are longstanding. He ended his playing career at the Lisbon club from 2006 to 2011, then coached the under-19s in 2012 to 2013 and the B team until 2014.

Since leaving Sporting, he has won 11 trophies, all with Palmeiras, and attracted interest from abroad. Sporting regard him as a leading option to replace Rui Borges if the then coach were to leave.

His Palmeiras contract runs to December 2027. Renewed at the end of last year, it removed a release clause, so either party can end the deal by stating their intention. Neither side has indicated a wish to do so, and president Leila Pereira aims to have only one coach for her term, which ends next year.

Source: Globo.com

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