Jorge Jesus leaves Benfica ahead of shock Sporting Lisbon move
Friday 5 June 2015 12:57, UK
Benfica have terminated contract renewal negotiations with coach Jorge Jesus amid reports he is set to join Sporting Libson.
The news comes less than 24 hours after Sporting sacked coach Marco Silva, paving the way for Jesus to become the first coach to move directly between Benfica and Sporting.
Jesus was widely expected to extend his six-year stint at the Stadium of Light, where he captured his 10th trophy last month, becoming the club's most successful coach.
But he now looks poised to make a shock move to Sporting after failing to reach an agreement over an extension with Benfica.
A statement from the Eagles said talks were now "closed regarding a possible renewal of the contract that ends on June 30, 2015...As a result, Benfica have begun preliminary talks on the potential candidates to replace the head coach."
It was reported that Benfica were trying to cut Jesus' wage, which was the highest for any coach in Portugal.
Sporting have not won the Portuguese league since 2002, but have big ambitions after African investors joined the club.
Last month, Benfica won successive titles for the first time in 31 years. Sporting finished third.
