Ruben Amorim says he "can't guarantee" that he will stay on as Sporting CP coach next season amid reports he could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
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Amorim contender for Liverpool jobCoach 'can't guarantee' Sporting stayExplained why he could leave in summerWHAT HAPPENED?
The 39-year-old manager has emerged as one of the preferred candidates to succeed Klopp at Anfield next term amid the positive results he has achieved in almost four years as Sporting boss. It was reported this week that the Reds have already opened talks with his agent to sound him out about a possible summer switch.
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The news that Xabi Alonso has decided he will stay on as Bayer Leverkusen coach, despite interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, has forced the Premier League side to look for alternative options, with Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi reportedly high on their list of targets. Amorim was asked if he will promise to stay, but he revealed that he will leave the Portuguese club if they fail to win any trophies this season.
WHAT AMORIM SAID
Asked if he will still be there next season, Amorim told reporters: "No, I can't guarantee it. Sporting is dealing with the future and I cannot decide because I gave my word. I can no longer go back in the sense that, if we don't win titles, I will leave Sporting. This was very clear from the beginning. It was a bet that I thought was important to convey to my players, so we have to win. First we will win the titles and then we will decide things, that is not a concern.
"The future has been planned for a long time, and we, as a structure, are outlining all the situations, everything we want, for next season. That's the main reason why I can't guarantee that I'll stay, I crossed paths with the players and as a leader I can't lose my word, no matter how much it costs me, maybe we have to win titles, we're on the right track and it's important to win this game."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AMORIM?
Amorim can still guide Sporting CP to a second Liga Portugal title this season, with his team sitting one point clear of Benfica at the top of the table. The two Lisbon giants go head-to-head in their next game on Saturday. They are also through to the Taca de Portugal final, where they will face either Porto or Vitoria Guimaraes.