You don’t have to look too far back for a few examples of clubs struggling to move on from an iconic head coach. David Moyes’ ill-fated spell in charge of a post-Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United remains a cautionary tale for any budding young manager looking to step into the shoes of a legend.
Ditto Unai Emery at Arsenal, following Arsene Wenger’s 2018 exit.
While an extremely highly-rated tactician on the radars of West Ham United, Liverpool and Chelsea might not be able to point to Ferguson or Wenger’s longevity or their remarkable trophy hauls, whoever takes Ruben Amorim‘s place in the Sporting Lisbon dugout may find out the hard way how Moyes and Emery felt.
HITC understands that Amorim, who ended Sporting’s two-decade long wait for a league title back in 2021 and currently has the club cruising ten points clear of rivals Benfica, flew into England on Monday.
His representatives have already held talks with Liverpool. West Ham are making an ambitious attempt to lure the 39-year-old away from the Portuguese capital themselves, with director Tim Steitden hoping to make Amorim his latest coup after bringing Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus to the London Stadium from Ajax back in 2023.
West Ham United join Liverpool in Ruben Amorim race
Jaime Marta Soares, a former board member at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, is under no illusions that finding a manager of Amorim’s quality may be beyond those currently in the Sporting dugout.
“We have good coaches (in Portugal),” Soares begins, speaking to Bola Branca. “But I don’t see any that would be capable of taking the same position as Ruben Amorim did, being able to continue this wave of success that is overwhelming at Sporting today.
“I would do everything in my power to ensure that Ruben Amorim stays. It is a project that can be guaranteed to be successful for many years with Ruben Amorim and that, without him, could fall apart from one moment to the next.
“Ruben Amorim and an individual who is in the shadows, (sporting director) Hugo Viana, who have done a sensational job.”
HITC understands that, as things stand, Amorim is still viewed as unlikely to take over from Moyes in the West Ham dugout. The former Braga boss may have reservations about the Liverpool post too, with Klopp’s shoes maybe too big even for him to fill.
Paulo Fonseca a potential David Moyes replacement
Xabi Alonso, initially Liverpool’s number one target, has already committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen, while Julian Nagelsmann has extended his contract with the German national team until after the 2026 World Cup.
West Ham, meanwhile, are also admirers of Gary O’Neill, Marco Silva, and the soon-to-be-unattached Thomas Tuchel. Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has been offered to the Hammers, via intermediaries, while Paulo Fonseca’s camp confirmed to us on Tuesday that – while the Lille boss is ‘respected’ at the London Stadium – talks have not yet taken place.
“Paulo is very respected by the leadership at West Ham, and an option to replace David Moyes if and when he leaves,” Fonseca’s people explain.
“There has been no contact with him. Paulo is focused on Lille until the end of the season.”