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Liverpool target 'can't guarantee' he'll stay as he's asked same Xabi Alonso question
Liverpool are continuing their search for Jurgen Klopp's successor.
Ruben Amorim has admitted that he cannot guarantee that he will be Sporting's manager beyond the end of the season. Amorim has been strongly linked with the Liverpool and Barcelona jobs ahead of a managerial merry-go-round this summer.
Amorim has become the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool since Xabi Alonso revealed that he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen next season. Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso had previously been viewed as the ideal candidate to replace Klopp given his success in Germany and affinity with the Anfield crowd.
Portuguese publication O Jogo has given Amorim the opportunity to provide the same guarantee to Sporting over his future that Alonso was able to give to Bayer. But the highly-rated tactician insists that his future will depend on winning a title.
Sporting are top of the Primeira Liga by a point and have a game in hand over Benfica. They are also into the final of the Taca de Portugal.
Amorim appeared to suggest that winning a trophy would see him remain in the Portuguese capital. “Sporting is already dealing with the future, I can’t decide,” the 39-year-old said.
“I gave my word and I can’t go back. If we don’t win titles, I will leave Sporting. It was clear from the beginning, it was the deal I conveyed to the players.
“We have to win titles. First we’ll see if we can do it and then we’ll decide things.
“It’s not a worry, the future has been planned for a long time. We’re outlining all the situations for next season. So I can’t guarantee that I’ll stay. We have to win titles, and we are on the right path.”
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Liverpool are on the hunt for a new manager after Klopp’s decision to leave at the end of the campaign. Incoming sporting director Richard Hughes will oversee the recruitment process, although he does not formally begin work until June 1.
According to The Athletic, Roberto De Zerbi has all but been ruled out of becoming the next Liverpool manager. The Brighton boss is reportedly likelier to join Bayern Munich if he leaves the Seagulls at the end of the season.
That is despite strong praise from Klopp before and after Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-1 in the Premier League last weekend. De Zerbi has failed to provide clarity over his future, insisting that he will speak with Brighton owner Tony Bloom at the end of the season.