Liverpool-linked head coach Ruben Amorim has offered no guarantees that he will stay at Sporting Lisbon as the Reds pursue his signature.
Since Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso announced that he would be staying with the Bundesliga champions-elect for at least another year, Amorim has apparently emerged as the leading target to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The 39-year-old is still contracted to Sporting for another two seasons, although his deal apparently includes a release clause worth around £12.8m, which Liverpool would seemingly have no qualms about paying.
Amorim has inevitably been pressed on the links with the Anfield gig since supposedly becoming the leading candidate, offering the Reds hope by responding "we'll see" when asked if he would stay at Sporting.
On Friday, the former Braga boss was once again quizzed on the possibility of taking over from Klopp, and he left the door open to a departure from Sporting should he fail to deliver silverware to supporters this season.
© Reuters
Liverpool 'officially open Amorim talks'
"No, I can't guarantee [I'll stay], I gave my word and I can't go back on it. If we don't win titles, I'll leave Sporting," Amorim told a press conference. "It was clear from the start, it was the bet I passed on to the players. We have to win titles."
Following Amorim's admission, French outlet Foot Mercato claims that Liverpool have now officially opened discussions with the manager's agent, who also represents Reds attacker Luis Diaz.
Amorim is not in the dark about Liverpool's interest in his services, but as he alluded to in his recent press conference, he will not consider his next career move until the current campaign is done and dusted.
The 39-year-old led Sporting to Primeira Liga glory in the 2020-21 campaign, while he has also won one Portuguese Super Cup and two Portuguese League Cups since taking control of the reins in March 2020.
Barcelona - whose head coach Xavi has announced that he will leave his post this summer - are expected to rival Liverpool for Amorim's signature, though, while Bayern Munich will also be on the lookout for a new manager when Thomas Tuchel steps down.
Should Liverpool fans get excited about Amorim's possible appointment?
© Reuters
Some members of the Kop may still not be over Alonso's decision to stay loyal to Leverkusen for another season, but they should not turn their noses up to a young and tactically astute manager in Amorim, given his stellar success in Portugal thus far.
Whether the 39-year-old is true to his word and departs Sporting if they end the season trophyless remains to be seen, but unfortunately for Liverpool fans, that scenario does not look likely to come to fruition.
Amorim's side may have already failed in their efforts to win the Europa League and Taca da Liga this year, but they have made it to the final of the Taca de Portugal, where either Porto or Vitoria de Guimaraes will await next month.
In addition, Sporting are also one point clear of Benfica at the top of the Primeira Liga table with just eight games left to play, and the leaders crucially still have a match in hand over the Eagles.
The Reds faithful certainly ought not to be wishing an end-of-season collapse on Sporting if Amorim sticks to his guns, but even with a medal or two around his neck, the 39-year-old could still find the pull of Anfield too strong to ignore and may feel that his job in his homeland is now complete.
Ben Knapton
