Portugal

Paulo Bento Resigns As Sporting CP Coach

Bento has stepped down from his position as head coach...

Nov 6, 2009 2:20:43 PM

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Sporting CP coach Paulo Bento has resigned on Friday following a poor run of results that culminated in last night's Europa League draw at home to Ventspils.

The Portuguese powerhouse are still likely to progress to the knockout stages of the competition, having collected ten points from their initial four games, but it will be without Bento.

The former youth team boss had been facing calls for his head following a poor run domestically that has left last season's runners-up seventh in the Portuguese Liga and last night's result was the final straw for Bento.

A statement on the club's official website reads:

"On the morning of November 6, 2009, Paulo Bento handed in his resignation as head coach of the Sporting Clube de Portugal first team as he felt he was not meeting the conditions to remain in charge of the squad.

"From this date, and until a different decision, the Sporting first team will be guided by the coach Leonel Pontes."

Bento, 40, has been in charge at Sporting CP since 2005 and has earned the nickname 'Papa-Tacas' (cup-eater) after steering Sporting to two Portuguese cups and two Supercups.

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com