Liverpool could strike a deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as their manager in the coming days, according to reports. The Sporting boss has been named as the Reds’ top target to succeed Jurgen Klopp this summer, and he did not rule out a move at the end of the season when asked about his future.
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Klopp announced in January that he will leave Liverpool this summer as feels that he is ‘running out of energy’ in the position and has the responsibility to step down rather than rely on the club’s owners to part ways with him.
The shock statement sparked Liverpool into life, with the higher powers at Anfield quickly drawing up a shortlist of potential candidates who are capable of replacing one of the club’s most successful, and adored, managers ever.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso was soon identified as Liverpool’s top target for the position, but the Spaniard ruled out a move away from the BayerArena. Attention on Merseyside has since turned to Amorim, and their pursuit of the Portuguese boss looks set to be moving in the right direction.
According to Portuguese football expert Pedro Sepulveda, Liverpool are ‘confident’ that Amorim will be their manager next season and the 39-year-old is ‘open’ to heading to Merseyside once the campaign has concluded.
Negotiations have not yet begun between parties but they are expected to move quickly, with an agreement set to be reached with Amorim’s entourage ‘in the next days’ over the finances involved in the move.
Sporting have a tough set of fixtures on the horizon which is said to be preventing negotiations from opening at present, though Liverpool will be keen to talk to Amorim’s representatives as soon as possible so that they can stop other clubs from beating them to the coach.
The Sporting boss fuelled speculation further earlier this week by refusing to provide assurances that he would be at the helm of the Portuguese outfit for the 2024/25 campaign.
Asked whether he will be in the dugout of the Jose Alvalade Stadium next season, Amorim replied: “No, I can't guarantee that. Sporting are taking care of their future and I can't make a decision because I have given my word so I can't go back on it, which is if we don't win titles, I will leave the club.
“That has always been very clear since the beginning and it was something I thought was important to tell my players because we have to win. First, we'll win titles then we can decide [the future]."
