Benfica coach departs amid reports of shock move to rivals Sporting
LISBON, Portugal -- Benfica have terminated contract renewal negotiations with coach Jorge Jesus amid reports he is headed to crosstown rival Sporting Lisbon.
Benfica said in a statement late Thursday they were looking for a new coach for next season. The same day, Sporting fired its coach Marco Silva.
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 storied club's most successful coach.
No coach has ever moved directly between Benfica and Sporting, and Jesus' potential switch has stunned fans.
Sporting hasn't won the Portuguese league since 2002, but has big ambitions after African investors joined the club.
Last month, Benfica won successive titles for the first time in 31 years. Sporting finished third.
