In his first game in charge he led his team to a 2–1 away win against Watford, led by countryman Marco Silva who managed Sporting three years ago.
Silva led Sporting to third place in the Primeira Liga, also winning the Taça de Portugal with victory over SC Braga. Strangely, four days after winning the trophy, Sporting announced that Silva had been sacked for not wearing the club’s official suit in a cup match against FC Vizela.
Before joining Swansea, Carlos Carvalhal was at Sheffield Wednesday and last May led them to a fourth place finish in the English Football League Championship and in doing so became the first Portuguese to win the EFL Manager of the Month Award. Subsequently, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss, and former FC Porto coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, picked up the award in November.
Come the end of the season Santo could be joining the elite in the Premier League as Wolves are currently twelve points clear at the top of the Championship.
Last but not least, we turn to José Mourinho, who has had a torrid festive season as Manchester United dropped points to widen the gap below runaway leaders Manchester City. After three successive draws, victory at Everton has eased the pressure on ‘The Special One’ who has been on the end of a stinging attack by ex-Real Madrid president, Ramon Calderon.
It is true that Mourinho has railed against fixtures, referees and his own players over the festive period and Calderon has said it was the same at the Bernabau where he was president before Mourinho was appointed.
He said: “I learned from Alfredo Di Stefano, a big team cannot ever blame referees, FIFA, UEFA or bad luck. When Mourinho was here he blamed Unicef, FIFA, kick-off times, the calendar…. everything all the time”. In my opinion that is a mistake and he doesn’t need that. He is a good coach with personality and it is a pity that he has that defect that he is always trying to blame others.”
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is considering a return to English football, according to reports in the English press.
He reportedly made a secret visit to the UK last month and is house hunting in London and Surrey to give seven-year-old son, Cristiano Junior. an education “fit for a king”.
Only a private school similar to £17,600-a-year Thomas’ Battersea prep in South West London - where Prince George attends - will do for Ronaldo, according to the report.
A sensational return to Old Trafford could be on the cards in the summer amid problems with the Spanish taxman.
Ronaldo remained in Madrid but Real have since been linked with a mega-money move for Paris Saint-Germain ace. Neymar.