Ruben Amorim said he could not guarantee he would continue as Sporting Lisbon manager beyond this season when asked about his future amid ongoing links with Liverpool.
Amorim (39 years old) is considered one of the most prominent candidates to succeed Jurgen Klopp this summer after Xabi Alonso confirmed his intention to stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Liverpool are searching for a new coach after Klopp announced in January that he would leave at the end of the season after nearly nine years at the helm.
Asked if he would do what Xabi Alonso did and guarantee that he would stay at Sporting next season, Amorim said in the press conference on Friday: “No, I cannot guarantee that.”
He added: “Sporting is taking care of its future and I cannot make a decision because I gave my word so I cannot go back on it, which is that if we do not win titles, I will leave the club.”
“This was very clear from the beginning and this was something I think was important to tell the players because we have to win. First we will win titles and then we can decide.” [on the future].
“But it’s not something that worries me because the future has been planned by the club for some time. We are identifying all the situations and everything we want for next season and that’s the main reason I can’t guarantee it.”
“Because as I said, I spoke to the players and as a captain I cannot go back on my word. We have to win titles, we are on the right path and we must win this match to achieve that.”
Amorim’s contract with Sporting expires in June 2026. The Portuguese coach has been managing the club since March 2020.
“I’m very happy here and I just wanted to make that clear,” he said.
Amorim reportedly has two different release clauses in his contract, one for Portuguese clubs and one for overseas teams.
“I don’t want to talk too much about my future,” Amorim said.
“The focus is on [Saturday’s] Game [against Benfica]. But I can say that I will not argue or put any pressure on Sporting, I owe the club a lot and what happens will happen.
He added: “But there will be no pressure from me towards the club because I owe a lot to Sporting.”
Sporting leads the Portuguese League, one point ahead of its rival Benfica on Saturday, which has a game in hand.
