Sporting CP just announced that Augusto Inacio has been signed as Director of Football. Inacio was Director of Football from 2013 (when BdC was elected) until 2015 when Jorge Jesus came in. It's well known that Inacio was pushed aside as he and JJ never got along and JJ wanted more power. It might be an indication that JJ is gone as coach. EDIT: This does not mean Andre Geraldes has been replaced; the club also confirmed that once he is allowed to return to duties he will resume his function as team manager (currently he's been court-ordered to stay away from anything football related indefinitely). --- A Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD informa que chegou a acordo com Augusto Inácio para que este assuma, de imediato, o cargo de Director Geral do Futebol. Augusto Inácio ficará com a responsabilidade da gestão plena do Futebol Profissional do Sporting Clube de Portugal, reportando ao Conselho de Administração da SAD. Com a contratação de Augusto Inácio, a Sporting SAD regressa à matriz original do projecto iniciado há 5 anos pela actual Direcção e Administração. Por decisão do próprio, o Presidente do Conselho de Administração da SAD e do Clube deixará de estar presente no banco de suplentes no jogos da equipa de Futebol Profissional, exercendo as suas funções institucionais. A Sporting SAD deseja a Augusto Inácio as maiores felicidades profissionais e pessoais.
Rumours now circulating that Inacio is not travelling with the squad to training camp in Switzerland, and that he is indeed leaving his post about a month and a half after he signed.
Could be a good thing. His success rate with his signings was pretty atrocious. We do need a director of football though.
Apparently Manuel Fernandes travelling with the team to Switzerland as a sort of 'team manager' - could be an interim solution. Nothing confirmed yet though.