After being knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Fiorentina, discontent among fans grew at his defensive tactics.

A 1-1 draw with Ventspils in the Europa League proved to be the final straw.

Sporting strengthened during the recent transfer window and splashed out over 10 million euros.

Most of that cash went on signing former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle from Atletico Madrid but they also drafted in right-back Pereira from Braga and Pedro Mendes from Rangers.

The move for 30-year-old Portuguese international Mendes brought him back to his homeland after five and a half seasons in British football.

With Pongolle ineligible to face the Blues, Sporting will look to Liedson to provide the firepower.

The Brazilian-born frontman has over a century of goals for the club and is rated as one of the greatest strikers in Sporting’s history.

Founded in 1906, the Lions won their first national crown in 1923 and three more followed in the 1930s before the creation of the Portuguese Liga.

The 1940s and 1950s was their golden era with 10 league titles in the space of 18 seasons.

They have won 18 in total but haven’t triumphed domestically since 2002, having to play second fiddle to Porto.

Sporting finished as runners-up last season and their last piece of silverware was the Cup of Portugal two years ago.

The Lions’ greatest achievement in Europe came in 1964 when they lifted the Cup Winners Cup after beating MTK Budapest.

They also reached the final of the 2005 UEFA Cup but lost 3-1 to CSKA Moscow.

Sporting moved into their new Estadio Jose Alvalade in August 2003.

The 50,076 capacity arena was built for the 2004 European Championships and is classified by UEFA as a five-star stadium.

Sporting are also famous for their academy set-up which has produced a stunning conveyor belt of talent.

The list of stars who learned their trade in the club’s youth ranks includes Paulo Futre, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Ricardo Quaresma and former Everton defender Nuno Valente.