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 below 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 quite a few high jobs. Liverpool is one apparent emptiness developing and Palhinha sees his former boss thriving on the subsequent degree up.
“Sure, in fact, though the stress is completely different,” the participant instructed O Jogo.
“If you coach an enormous Portuguese membership, you’ve the stress of the followers and the scale of the membership itself, which forces you to win. If you coach Liverpool, you’ve the stress of the followers, the membership and the entire world. The way in which it is rising, I believe it’s solely a matter of time.
“Ruben is an excellent coach, probably the greatest in Portugal, he is carried out a wonderful job since Braga. He has an in-depth information of the sport and has an in depth relationship with the gamers. The way in which he is rising, he received’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 profitable one other title for Sporting after which the longer term will probably be in his arms.”
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 a complete 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 larger 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 interchange 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 significantly 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 considered one of Europe’s high 5 leagues. Unai Emery and Roger Schmidt have additionally been mentioned internally.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard just isn’t seen as a contender, having seen his inventory fall since being sacked by Aston Villa, however may nonetheless get an interview out of respect ought to he ask for one.