It did not take lengthy for Viana to be again in soccer, this time as a global relations director after being appointed by Sporting, based mostly 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 appropriate 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, stated.
“Between the seasons 2018-19 and 2019-20, the squad constructing was referred to as into query, with unbalanced groups, which led to successive managerial adjustments.
“It would not appear regular to me to have 4 completely different coaches in a single season, however ultimately the choice to convey Amorim has proved very profitable.”
It has been a turning level for Sporting of their current historical past and in addition for Viana, after all.
Underneath 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 stuffed their sneakers.
That is been the results of the Amorim-Viana partnership.
They’re long-time pals, having performed collectively for Portugal and in addition for Braga.
However their bond grew particularly sturdy once they had been each approaching the tip 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 identical time, troublesome,” Viana stated.
“However we respect one another rather a lot, no matter we’ve to say, we are saying, no matter we’ve to debate, we focus on. It has been a pleasant problem and constructive for each of us.
“What we’re all dwelling at Sporting I used to be by no means in a position to 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 time, and his future unsure, many in Portugal will likely be conserving a detailed eye on the prospect of Amorim and Viana reuniting rather a lot prior to anticipated.