Ruben Amorim says he can’t be sure if he will continue leading Sporting next season, amid speculation that he might join Liverpool.
Liverpool have put Amorim at the top of their list to take over Jurgen Klopp in the summer and the 39-year-old is now the favorite to become the new manager at Anfield, ahead of other contenders like 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 seen as one of the best young coaches in European football and his Sporting side are currently at the top of the Primeira Liga table, one point ahead of reigning champions Benfica, with eight games left in their campaign.
Although Amorim has previously not revealed much about his future when asked about rumors linking him to Liverpool, he has given the Reds hope of getting him as he spoke to the media today.
However, the Premier League leaders know they may need to pay Amorim’s £12.8million release clause to take the manager from Estadio Jose Alvalade, as he is under contract at Sporting until 2026.
Asked if he could confirm that he will still be Sporting’s manager next season in light of 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.’
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.’
Pressed on whether he may be on the move if a potential suitor triggers 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.’
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 knows a lot about the game and has a close bond with the players.
‘The way he is progressing, he won’t remain in Portugal for much longer. It will not be due to a lack of opportunities that he won't depart from Portugal.
‘He has aspirations to win another title with Sporting and then he will have control over his future.’
When asked if Amorim has the ‘capability’ to lead a team like Liverpool, the Fulham midfielder responded: ‘Yes, definitely, though the pressure is different.
‘When you manage a major Portuguese club, there is pressure from the supporters and the club's stature, which compels you to succeed.
‘When you manage Liverpool, there is pressure from the fans, the club, and the global community.
‘The way things are progressing, I believe it will only be a matter of time.’
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