Liverpool reach “agreement” with Rúben Amorim to replace Klopp: who is the Sporting CP coach?

Reports in Germany suggest Premier League title hopefuls Liverpool have reached “a verbal agreement in principle” for Sporting CP head coach Rúben Amorim to take over from Jürgen Klopp at Anfield.

Klopp announces shock Liverpool departure

At the end of January, Klopp made the shock announcement he would be leaving The Reds at the end of the season after almost nine years in charge. During that time, he has won eight trophies, including Liverpool’s sixth Champions League/European Cup and their first Premier League title in 30 years.

The German’s decision was made all the more surprising by the fact the Merseysiders are in contention to win another championship and could also add to the Europa League to their League Cup victory in February.

Xavi Alonso to stay with Bayer Leverkusen

Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for former player Xabi Alonso, who is on the brink of leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title in his first full season in charge. However, the Spaniard recently pledged his future to the German club for at least another season.

Amorim’s “verbal agreement in principle” with Liverpool

As a result, it now looks as if they have turned their attentions elsewhere, with Sky Germany journalist Florian Pletternberg reports on Tuesday Amorim had a “verbal agreement in principle with Liverpool,” although it wasn’t “a done deal yet,” with “more steps needed”.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also monitoring the Portuguese, although it appears their interest is less firm.

Who is Rúben Amorim? Who did he play for?

Amorim played (permanently) for Belenenses and Benfica between 2003 and 2015, joining the latter in 2008. As a player, he won three Portuguese titles and six domestic cups, although injuries saw him have some lengthy spells out of the team. Even so, the midfielder represented Portugal 14 times, making the squads for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Despite his Benfica connections, in March 2020 the 39-year-old was appointed head coach as Sporting CP, their Lisbon rivals, having previously managed Casa Pia and Braga, with whom he won the Portuguese League Cup (Taça da Liga in 2019/20).

What has Amorim achieved with Sporting CP?

Sporting reportedly paid Braga €10 million ($10.87 million) in compensation for Amorim’s services, which is the fifth highest figure in soccer history. But the appointment immediately paid off, with the former Portugal international leading Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in his first full season in charge (2020/21).

The capital club have finished second and fourth in the two campaigns since, but did reach the Champions League round of 16 in 2022/23 and the Europa League quarter-finals last season. This year, Sporting are in a strong position to win another Portuguese title, as they currently hold a four-point lead over Benfica, who have played a game more, with seven matches left to play.

What is Amorim’s favoured style of play?

During his team with Sporting, Amorim has generally favoured a 3-4-3 system and a possession-based style of play.

The two central midfielders have usually been tasked with dropping deep to pick up the ball and beat opposition presses in central areas via overloads.

Amorim likes to use attack-minded wing-backs who hold their width, in addition to and a fluid front three, whose wide attackers come inside to offer an additional goal threat.