Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is Liverpool’s top target to replace Jurgen Klopp (Picture: Getty)
Ruben Amorim says he ‘can’t guarantee’ that he will still be in charge of Sporting next season, with speculation mounting that he could leave the club to join Liverpool.
Liverpool have placed Amorim at the top of their shortlist to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the summer and the 39-year-old is now the bookmakers’ favourite to take over the reins at Anfield, above the likes of Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Thiago Motta.
Legendary ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso had been the club’s primary managerial target in the wake of Klopp’s bombshell announcement in January, but the Spaniard confirmed last week that he would be staying on at Bayer Leverkusen beyond the summer.
Amorim is widely regarded as one of the finest young coaches in European football and his Sporting side sit top of the Primeira Liga table, one point better off than reigning champions Benfica, with eight games remaining of their campaign.
While Amorim has previously remained tight-lipped over his future when quizzed on rumours attaching his name to Liverpool, the Portuguese gave the Reds hope of securing his services as he faced the media this afternoon.
However, the Premier League leaders know they may need to pay Amorim’s £12.8million release clause to prise the manager away from Estadio Jose Alvalade, with the Sporting head coach tied into a contract until 2026.
Asked if he could confirm that he will still be Sporting’s manager next season in light on Alonso’s decision, Amorim told reporters: ‘No, I can’t guarantee that.
‘Sporting are already dealing with the future, I can’t decide.
‘I gave my word and I can’t go back on it. If we don’t win titles, I’ll leave Sporting. It was clear from the start and it was the message I passed on to the players. We have to win titles.’
Leverkusen boss Alonso had been Liverpool’s primary target (Picture: Getty)
Amorim added: ‘First we will see if we can do it and then we’ll decide things. It’s not a worry, the future has been planned for a long time.
‘We are outlining all the situations for next season.
‘So I can’t guarantee that I’ll stay, we have to win titles. And we’re on the right track.’
The Portuguese is contracted to Sporting until 2026 (Picture: Getty)
Pressed on whether he may be on the move should a potential suitor trigger his release clause, Amorim replied: ‘I don’t want to dwell on my future, the focus is on this game.
‘I’m not going to discuss anything with Sporting.
‘I owe Sporting a lot, I’m very happy here. I’ll never put pressure on myself to leave.’
The 39-year-old is considered one of the top young managers in Europe (Picture: Getty)
Speaking to O Jogo last week, Fulham star Joao Palhinha – who played under Amorim at Sporting – said he was confident his fellow countryman had the ‘quality’ and man-management skills necessary to succeed at a club of Liverpool’s stature.
‘Ruben is a coach with a lot of quality, one of the best in Portugal. He has done an excellent job since Braga,’ Palhinha told the Portuguese publication.
He has in-depth knowledge of the game and has a close relationship with the players.
‘The way he is growing, he won’t stay in Portugal much longer. It will not be for lack of opportunities that he will not leave Portugal.
‘He dreams and aims to win another title with Sporting and then the future will be in his hands.’
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Asked whether Amorim has the ‘capacity’ to manage a team like Liverpool, the Fulham midfielder replied: ‘Yes, of course, although the pressure is different.
‘When you coach a big Portuguese club, you have pressure from the fans and the size of the club itself, which forces you to win.
‘When you coach Liverpool, you have pressure from the fans, the club and the whole world.
‘The way it is developing, I think it will be a matter of time.’
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