Sporting Clube de Portugal have rewarded coach Ricardo Sá Pinto with a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2013.

The former Portugal forward, who had two spells as a Sporting player from 1994-97 and 2000-06, was originally appointed in a caretaker role following the dismissal of Domingos Paciência in February. 

Sá Pinto wasted no time in bringing success to the club as the Lions fell just short of a landmark season - losing to Athletic Club in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, before suffering a 1-0 defeat by A. Académica de Coimbra in the Portuguese Cup final.

Sporting, who finished fourth in the league, will appear in qualifying for next season's UEFA Europa League.