Sporting Lisbon board resign after only two years at helm

06/02/2013 2:15:00 AM

The Lisbon outfit will hold elections to find a replacement for president Godinho Lopes in March after a poor run of results has seen them fall to mid-table in Primeira Liga

The entire board at Sporting Lisbon have announced their decision to resign from the club after just two years in charge of the side.

The Portuguese outfit currently sit ninth in Primeira Liga, 26 points behind leaders Porto, and current coach Jesualdo Ferreira is the fifth trainer to have taken up the post since the outgoing president Godinho Lopes took charge.

A number of supporters have been vocal in their displeasure at the current board, and the head of the club's general assembly, Eduardo Barroso, has encouraged fans to get behind the team ahead of the elections to find a replacement on March 23.

"Sporting's board decided to renounce their mandate. The board will stay in function until the elections and the club's managing bodies plead for fans to support the club during this period," he told reporters.

Sportinguistas last won the league title in 2002 and have been some way behind the winners in recent years, finishing 36 points behind Porto in 2012.

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