Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha has backed Ruben Amorim to succeed at Liverpool ought to the Reds decide to nominate him as Jurgen Klopp’s successor forward of subsequent season.
Palhinha performed underneath Amorim at each Braga and Sporting CP previous to transferring to the Premier League in 2022 and has seen firsthand the standard of the 39-year-old coach.
Given his success at Sporting, delivering the membership’s first Primeira Liga title in 19 years in 2021 and main the best way once more this season, Amorim has been touted for plenty of prime jobs. Liverpool is one apparent emptiness arising and Palhinha sees his former boss thriving on the subsequent stage up.
“Sure, in fact, though the strain is totally different,” the participant instructed O Jogo.
“Whenever you coach a giant Portuguese membership, you’ve got the strain of the followers and the dimensions of the membership itself, which forces you to win. Whenever you coach Liverpool, you’ve got the strain of the followers, the membership and the entire world. The best way it is rising, I believe it’s solely a matter of time.
“Ruben is an excellent coach, probably the greatest in Portugal, he is performed a superb job since Braga. He has an in-depth data of the sport and has a detailed relationship with the gamers. The best way he is rising, he gained’t be in Portugal for much longer.
“It will not be for lack of alternatives [if he doesn’t] go away Portugal. He has goals and ambitions of successful one other title for Sporting after which the long run might be in his fingers.”
Klopp introduced in January his intention to step down as Liverpool supervisor on the finish of the season. With short-term sporting director Jorg Schmadtke additionally leaving on the finish of the January switch window, the membership was tasked with planning an entire new chapter and was eager to have in place a brand new soccer hierarchy earlier than turning consideration to supervisor recruitment.
Michael Edwards has returned in a brand new greater position than earlier than, with Richard Hughes additionally set to affix as sporting director when he leaves Bournemouth on the finish of the season.
90min reported final month that Liverpool have seven names on a shortlist to switch Klopp.
Xabi Alonso is a number one contender owing to his work at Bayer Leverkusen and prior connection to Liverpool, though Bayern Munich covet him for related causes. Others being severely thought-about are Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Ange Postecoglou. There was hesitancy with regard to Amorim, who whereas admired by the Anfield hierarchy, lacks expertise in one in every of Europe’s prime 5 leagues. Unai Emery and Roger Schmidt have additionally been mentioned internally.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is just not seen as a contender, having seen his inventory fall since being sacked by Aston Villa, however might nonetheless get an interview out of respect ought to he ask for one.
