It did not take lengthy for Viana to be again in soccer, this time as a global relations director after being appointed by Sporting, primarily based like Belenenses in Lisbon, in 2018.
Just a few months later he was named sporting director and, regardless of requiring a little bit of time to regulate, with 4 completely different coaches and failed signings like Yannick Bolasie and Jesse Rodriguez, he ultimately discovered his toes.
“He has grown considerably as a result of he discovered the best context to try this as knowledgeable and concurrently assist enhance the construction,” Leonel Pontes, who labored as Sporting coach in 2019 and is now a technical director at Shanghai Shenhua, mentioned.
“Between the seasons 2018-19 and 2019-20, the squad constructing was known as into query, with unbalanced groups, which led to successive managerial modifications.
“It does not appear regular to me to have 4 completely different coaches in a single season, however in the long run the choice to deliver Amorim has proved very profitable.”
It has been a turning level for Sporting of their latest historical past and likewise for Viana, in fact.
Beneath Amorim, Sporting have received trophies once more and eventually discovered peace.
It is no shock they’ve been producing so many gamers.
Whereas the likes of Joao Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Porro and Ugarte have been offered for prime sums, others like Goncalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande, Morten Hjulmand, Geovany Quenda and Viktor Gyokeres have stepped up and crammed their sneakers.
That is been the results of the Amorim-Viana partnership.
They’re long-time associates, having performed collectively for Portugal and likewise for Braga.
However their bond grew particularly sturdy after they have been each approaching the top of their careers within the Center East.
They might typically meet in Dubai as Amorim was struggling to deal with accidents and had in Viana a shoulder to lean on.
“It is nice [to have one of my best friends working for me] however, on the similar time, troublesome,” Viana mentioned.
“However we respect one another loads, no matter we’ve got to say, we are saying, no matter we’ve got to debate, we focus on. It has been a pleasant problem and constructive for each of us.
“What we’re all residing at Sporting I used to be by no means capable of dwell as a footballer. We typically go searching us and do not see what we do as work however like a nice factor.”
With Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola out of contract this summer season, and his future unsure, many in Portugal shall be conserving a detailed eye on the prospect of Amorim and Viana reuniting loads before anticipated.