Ruben Amorim says he cannot guarantee he will still be at Sporting Lisbon next season, amid reports he could succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Klopp confirmed in January he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years in charge at Anfield, with former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso initially linked with the role.
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Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley has the lowdown on Amorim – the Sporting head coach who is one of the favourites to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
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However, after Alonso recently confirmed he will be staying as Bayer Leverkusen head coach next season, Amorim reportedly moved to the top of Liverpool’s managerial wishlist.
And Amorim, who won the Portuguese title with Sporting in 2020-21, was unable to confirm on Friday that he will still managing the Lisbon club next season.
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Portuguese football expert Pedro Sepulveda explains what Amorim would bring to Liverpool if he succeeds Klopp
“I cannot make any guarantees [that I will stay at Sporting next season],” Amorim said when asked if he could provide clarity on his future as Alonso had done with Leverkusen.
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Amorim has downplayed suggestions he could be the next Jose Mourinho
Sporting currently lead Benfica by just a point in the Primeira Liga, but having played a game less than the champions, with Amorim wanting to now focus on reclaiming the title, before deciding on his future at the end of the campaign.
“Sporting are dealing with their future and I can’t decide now because I gave my word, I can’t go back on that, so if I don’t win trophies, I’m going to leave Sporting,” he added.
“That’s been very clear since the start. I felt it was important to get that across to the players because we have to win. We want to win trophies and we’ll decide on those things later.
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Sky Sports’ Peter Smith and Melissa Reddy discuss the rumours surrounding Amorim’s potential move to Liverpool
“I’m not worried about that right now. The future has been planned for quite a long time. We’re all together as a club and looking into all situations and what we want for next season, so that’s the main reason why I can’t guarantee anything.
“I said that to my players and as the leader I can’t go back on my word, as hard as that may be. We have to win trophies, we’re on track to do that and that’s why it’s so important to win our next game.”
Why Amorim is Liverpool target
With exclusive insight from his rival coaches in Portugal, we take a look at what makes Ruben Amorim so good and whether he could translate that success to Liverpool.
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