Football
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Jorge Jesus completes shock move from Benfica to rivals Sporting Lisbon

Jorge Jesus has crossed one of football's greatest divides by leaving Benfica to take charge of their fierce Lisbon rivals Sporting.

The 60-year-old thrice guided Benfica to the Primeira Liga title and twice into the Europa League final during his six years in charge at the Estadio da Luz, but when he stalled over signing a new contract, rumours began to circulate in Portugal that he was preparing to make a shock switch across the capital.

And on Friday night Sporting confirmed they had appointed Jesus as the successor to Marco Silva through their official Twitter account.

The Amadora-born tactician started his senior playing career with Sporting in 1973, and 39 years after leaving he has returned to pen a three-year contract as head coach at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Club president Bruno de Carvalho tweeted: "His only demand was that he was allowed to coach his favourite club."

Late Thursday, Benfica said they had terminated contract renewal negotiations with Jesus and were looking for a new coach for next season. Sporting fired Silva the same day.

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.

He is the first coach to ever move directly between Benfica and Sporting

Sporting, who finished third this season, haven't won the Portuguese league since 2002 but have big ambitions after African investors joined the club.

Information from Press Association and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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