Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is emerging as the “main name” for Liverpool as they prepare a list of managers who will replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.
Liverpool suffered a blow on Good Friday after top target Xabi Alonso confirmed that he will stay with Bayer Leverkusen next season. It has been suggested that Liverpool were never overly confident that Alonso would leave Leverkusen, and they have wasted no time in moving on to the next best option.
The 39-year-old manager has done a tremendous job with Sporting Lisbon as he helped them win the league for the first time in 19 years last season, breaking the duopoly of Benfica and Porto. Sporting are on course to win the league once again as they find themselves at the top of the table, one point above Benfica having played a game less.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool will have to pay around £13m, his release clause, to bring him to Anfield. Amorim has always suggested that he is happy at Sporting and will only leave the club if he feels the next project is perfect for him.
Ruben Amorin speaks about potential Liverpool move
Amorin, who is known for his great communication skills, was asked at the press conference about Liverpool’s interest in him. While he reiterated his love for Sporting, the young manager has not completely ruled out the possibility of joining Anfield.
“I am focused on Sporting. I am very proud to be Sporting’s coach. We are focussed on winning titles,” said Amorim, as quoted by O Jogo (page 6).
“Liverpool? We will see in the end. I have a contract and I am very happy here.”
Amorin is a big fan of Jose Mourinho and considers him his idol. The Sporting manager deploys a 3-4-3 system and he is very rigid about it. In his system, the wing-backs play a big role.
Stylistically, he is different from Klopp, but in terms of personality, he is equally influential. The prospect of replacing Klopp and creating a new legacy is something that could tempt Amorin.
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are checking on other candidates as well with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is thought to be another potential option.
