Back in June this year, Jorge Jesus – the eccentric, outspoken and charismatic boss who had guided Benfica to three league titles, ten domestic trophies and two Europa League finals – sensationally walked out of the reigning champions and took over at cross-city rivals Sporting. The move sent shockwaves throughout the nation; more Judas than Jesus, quipped the outraged Benfica fans.

Amid the fall-out of a move that rocked Portuguese football, a managerial casualty went almost unnoticed. Marco Silva had only been appointed at the Alvalade twelve months previously, the 38-year-old having been poached from Estoril, the tiny coastal outfit in Greater Lisbon. You can make a good case that Silva was extremely harshly done by, but the young coach did not waste time bemoaning his misfortune. Colin Millar profiles the latest Portuguese manager to be drawing comparisons with José Mourinho.

As so often was the case when he graced the football pitches in Spain and the rest of Europe, leave it to former Barcelona midfield maestro Xavi Hernández to hit the nail on the head about José Mourinho:

"He was the assistant coach, someone who understood the philosophy of Barça and who shared many of the same characteristics of Van Gaal. He was very respected by the players. He trained us sometimes alone at Barça B and he was excellent. I'm surprised that he became known for another type of football, more defensive, because he wasn't like that with us."

And therein lies probably one of the most fascinating aspects of The Special One's trajectory thus far.

As the January transfer window approaches, speculation is beginning to mount regarding the possible transfers of several Portuguese players to the world’s richest league. William Carvalho, Rúben Neves and Gonçalo Guedes, star turns at Sporting, Porto and Benfica respectively, have been rumoured to be on the radars of several English clubs.

If any or all of them make the move to the EPL it will continue a recent tradition of Portuguese players moving from their homeland to the Premiership. On balance, how have they done? PortuGOAL looks at over a decade of Portuguese in the Premiership.

Carlos Carvalhal’s Sheffield Wednesday revolution has got off to a promising start.

Expectations amongst supporters are growing after a recent eleven-game unbeaten run which included an eye-catching 3-0 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup and has propelled The Owls to ninth place in the English Championship, just four points off a play-off place.

PortuGOAL looks at the background surrounding Carvalhal’s surprise appointment and the progress made so far by the former Vitória Setúbal, Sporting and Besiktas coach.