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If there is a stoppage during the anticipated a electrifying Lisbon Derby on Friday, Sporting's manager, Rui Borges, is expected to look down at the wristwatch he considers a lucky charm.

"The dark Casio – purchased for €20 while still playing for his local team Mirandela – represents his belief in superstition and one he has kept on his ascent from the obscurity of amateur coaching to shaping the grandest platform in European football."

The 44-year-old stepped in after the disruption caused by Ruben Amorim’s move to Manchester United and is quietly forging a excellent standing himself. The Lisbon club are aiming for a third consecutive league titles and seeking to earn a direct spot for the Champions League last 16. A significant few days await, including a trip to Benfica's Estádio da Luz, followed by a visit to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

From Humble Beginnings to the Top Flight

Borges's initial experience as a coach were at fourth-tier Mirandela, where he finished a low-key playing career. In the dugout, however, he has enjoyed greater success, winning a domestic double with Sporting in his first season. This term, Sporting are placed second, a trio of points behind Porto and three ahead of Benfica.

Starting problems included Viktor Gyökeres’s drawn-out departure, but Borges’s side remain the highest scorers in the Primeira Liga. New signing Luis Suárez has made an instant impact, bagging nine goals in his first 12 appearances.

The Manager of Ritual

Borges wears his original Casio watch every match without fail. Curiously, Casio even reached out this season, sending him various models, but he has refused to change his original piece. His beliefs are profound, even including insisting on the identical seat at the familiar place after a key victory last season.

His players joked with him for his attachment to a particular gilet, which Borges was sure would help win the title. They did, pipping Benfica to claim their 21st Primeira Liga and their first consecutive titles since the 1950s.

A Swift Journey

The club are known for offering promising coaches a chance. After a short-lived tenure by João Pereira, the club moved quickly to hire Borges, who had guided Vitória de Guimarães to a runner-up finish.

A seven straight wins to last season convinced Sporting to trigger his £3.5m clause in less than six months. Since taking over last Christmas, he has endured a loss just once in the league.

Roots in Mirandela

Carlos Correira, the ex- Mirandela president who first coached Borges as a youth player, later entrusted him his initial managerial job. The goal was avoiding relegation, but they ended up fourth. This success led Borges up the divisions, where he saved them from relegation danger.

"It was clear that he was a natural leader, and we could see that this was the route he wanted," says Correira. "As captain, he was someone who could unite people. He was incredibly dedicated, truly loves football, and spends countless hours working to develop. He succeeded here and rapidly ascended to the top."

His subsequent job at Moreirense, after their promotion to the top flight, was another test. A lengthy unbeaten streak, which featured a hard-fought draw at Benfica’s stadium, resulted in a top-six finish, their best in the division.

Family Influences

Borges's dad, Manuel, had a career in Portugal’s top division. He considers his deceased grandfather, a shoemaker, as a major inspiration. Borges devoted his first top-flight title to his grandfather and has a tattoo in his memory.

"He is very humble and has kept in touch with his origins," Correira emphasizes. "All of Mirandela supports him. He is a hometown boy, someone we’re so proud of. We are very proud of him."