Sérgio makes way for Couceiro at Sporting

Paulo Sérgio has left his post as coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal and been replaced by José Couceiro until the end of the season.

Sérgio's departure comes on the back of a six-match winless sequence that culminated in Thursday's 2-2 home draw against Rangers FC in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, which eliminated the Lisbon outfit on away goals.

"It has been a difficult period," said Sérgio. "I leave with no bitterness but I am sad that I was unable to reach the goals that I had set myself; becoming a champion with Sporting. That was my dream, my ambition and the reason I accepted this project."

Sérgio's assistant, Alberto Cabral, will pick the team for the fixture at CD Nacional on Sunday, while the first match in charge for Couceiro − the 48-year-old former FC Porto, Portugal Under-21 and Lithuanian national team coach − will be Wednesday's League Cup semi-final against SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.

Also out of the Portuguese Cup, Sporting lie third in the table after 20 matches, 15 points behind second-placed Benfica and 23 adrift of Liga leaders Porto.