Mihajlovic lasts one week as Sporting Lisbon crisis continues
The firebrand Serbian coach was appointed by Bruno de Carvalho, who has been ousted after an institutional meltdown at the Primeira Liga club.
An institutional crisis engulfing Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon took another bizarre turn on Tuesday when it was announced that Serbian coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will be leaving the club just a week after being appointed by former president Bruno de Carvalho.
The Portuguese businessman had been at the helm of Sporting for five years but was ousted by club members in an unprecedented vote of no confidence on June 23, with more than 70 percent of the ballot against him.
Mihajlovic was hired last week by De Carvalho and signed a three-year deal worth two million euros a season. However, the club’s interim management commission have decided to revoke the deal with Portuguese daily Record noting that the Serb had not yet taken up his post officially or named his backroom staff.
Sporting a club in crisis
Sporting are planning to reach an agreement with Mihajlovic, who may not be entitled to any compensation as there was a 15-day trial period written into his contract.
The Portguese club has been rocked in recent weeks after a group of ultras attacked the squad during a training session in protest at the side’s poor results this season. Jorge Jesus, who quit as coach to move to Al-Hilal, accused De Carvalho of orchestrating the attack after the former president threatened to suspend the entire first team squad after the Europe League defeat to Atlético Madrid.
In the aftermath of the assault, in which striker Bas Dost suffers injuries to his head, nine players have already announced their intention to leave the club this summer.
