Sporting Lisbon failed to spread festive cheer on Christmas Day as they sacked coach Joao Pereira, just over a month after he replaced Ruben Amorim.

Pereira, 40, was a former full-back who played three times for the club.

Following his resignation, Pereira moved to the Portuguese club as coach and was in charge of the under-23 team for two years before being promoted to head of Sporting’s reserve team at the start of this season.

However, the 40-year-old won just three of his eight games as manager after taking charge of the first team on November 11, suffering a particularly heavy and damaging home defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League.

Pereira became the first Sporting coach in history to lose four of his first five games in charge, although his side had shown signs of a turnaround with a three-match unbeaten run before Christmas.

However, this did not save Pereira as the club announced the news of his sacking with a short statement at 11.54pm on Christmas Day.

“A lion forever.” “Thank you, João Pereira,” it said.

Pereira’s appointment comes after Amorim left the club last month to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

During his tenure, Amorim secured Sporting’s first league title in more than two decades before repeating the feat last season as speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League grew.

Sporting were top of the Portuguese league and second in the Champions League league phase at the time of Amorim’s departure.

However, under Pereira’s leadership they have slipped to second place domestically – a point behind rivals Benfica – while Sporting now sit 17th in Europe’s elite club competition after also suffering defeat to Club Brugge.

It means they still have to fight for qualification for the knockout stages after Amorim led them to three wins in their first four games, including a famous 4-1 triumph against Man City.

Before Christmas, reports circulated in the Portuguese media that Pereira was under pressure, despite claims that club bosses would hold a meeting with him after the Christmas break.

Meanwhile, Amorim has had a mixed start to life at Old Trafford over the last month and a half.

After winning just one of his first four Premier League games for the club, Amorim led United to a dramatic Manchester derby win over arch-rivals City earlier this month.

However, any hopes that the result would be the turning point for the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season were quickly dashed.

On Sunday, United lost badly to Bournemouth, with the Cherries emerging 3-0 winners, meaning the 39-year-old has won four games, lost four and drawn one since moving from Lisbon to Manchester.

After the defeat against Bournemouth, Amorim stressed that there was “fear” in his team, but promised to continue the tactical restructuring.

“Everything is so difficult at this moment,” Amorim said. “For a club like Manchester United to lose 3-0 at home is really hard for everyone.

“The fans are really disappointed and tired.” You can feel that in the first game in the stadium. I understand that, but we have to face it. I felt it from the first minute, the fear is great.

“Everyone in the club is tired of these moments.” “We have to face it and concentrate on the next game.”

United return to action against Wolves on Boxing Day, while Sporting host Benfica on December 29.