Sporting president Frederico Varandas was emotional this Saturday at the funeral of former Sporting captain Manuel Fernandez, who died on Thursday at the age of 73, alluding to the loss of “one of the best players in Sporting history”.
The head of the green-white club appeared with journalists near the José Alvalade stadium, where the body of the former striker is buried, and did not avoid tears as he paid tribute to his sporting glory.
“It’s a difficult day. It’s one of the best days in our history at Sporting. It’s also a friend who was also my coach at Vitoria de Setubal, when I was still a young doctor. It’s me and Sporting, with a clear conscience. “From the praise he received during his life, I know that inside he was very happy, as he is very happy today, when this crowd thanks him for everything he did for Sporting,” he said, his voice shaking.
No less emotional was the President of the General Assembly Council (MAG) of Sporting, João Palma, at the moment when he considered the “disgust” of the Alvalade emblem due to the loss of one of its main symbols.
“I would like to express the deep sadness of the Sporting management, who share this moment of grief with all Sporting fans, in particular the Sporting family, and wish the members of Sporting and all the fans of the club my most sincere condolences, because In fact, we are all very sad and we all share this loss. Firstly, I would like to say that this general, widespread suffering that runs through the hearts of all Sporting fans is well deserved. I just lost a unique figure from our club,” the director said.
The president of MAG sportinguista highlighted the presence of thousands of people, including sports personalities and fans of the Alvalade club, as well as representatives of the main Portuguese football institutions, including the Portuguese Football Federation and the Club League, and even supporters of other clubs and some curious people, praising the example of devotion to the Lisbon coat of arms that Manuel Fernandes represents.
“The message he leaves us should motivate us even more to be part of Sporting and to create an ever stronger Sporting with the enthusiasm that his memory leaves us with. There was not a single person who knew him who did not like him, and I especially admire him since 1975 and have always followed his career,” said João Palma, shocked by the death of the former Sporting striker.
A striker for Sporting from 1975/76 to 1986/87, with 255 goals in 433 games and five victories – two league titles, two Portuguese Cups and a Super Cup – the former striker and coach died on Thursday at the age of 73 after a long illness.
Manuel Fernandez was born on June 5, 1951 in Sarillos Pequenos, municipality of Moita. Manuel Fernandez played poker in Sporting’s 7-1 thrashing of Benfica in 1986/87, and also played for Sarilense, CUF and Vitoria de Setubal. between 30 games and seven goals for the national team.
After finishing his playing career, Manuel Fernandes remained connected to football and worked as a coach at Vitoria de Setúbal, Estrela da Amadora, Ovarense, Sporting, Campomaiorenza, Tirsense, Santa Clara, Penafiel, União de Leiria and ASA, Angola.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.