'Even my son asks me to stay' - Ruben Amorim admits pleas over Liverpool decision

Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP took a huge step towards recapturing the Portuguese league title on Tuesday night, winning their game in hand against Famalicao by a single goal to nil. 

Pedro “Pote” Goncalves struck the only goal of the game in the first half, helping Sporting to a SEVEN point lead over second place Benfica with seven games to go. 

Glory is firmly in sight for the Lions, who now require three more victories to guarantee the title. 

Amorim has been the No.1 contender for the Liverpool job since Xabi Alonso confirmed his intentions to remain with Bayer Leverkusen for another season at least. 

The Werkself wrapped up the Bundesliga title at the weekend, their first ever, and Alonso is intending to help his side progress in the year ahead before making a decision over his future.

Amorim, meanwhile, has been inundated with questions over his own future since Liverpool’s plans changed and he was placed top of the wish list. 

Last week he was forced to DENY that he had already reached an outline agreement with Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the season.

He now admits even his OWN SON wants him to stay with Sporting amid the Anfield links. 

The manager faced the press following the Famalicao game, with one intriguing question being posed. 

“Do you hear more fans saying that they want Sporting to be champions or for you to stay at the club?,” he was asked.

"Both,” came the reply. “Even my son asks me for both things, but the important thing is for Sporting to be champions. That's what the fans want and that's what we fight for."

Amorim broke Sporting’s title curse

Amorim, 39, broke Sporting’s long hoodoo by winning the Liga Portugal in the 2020-21 season, their first league title for 19 years. 

That landmark honour earned the former Portugal international a burgeoning reputation in coaching circles, which he has solidified in the seasons since. 

Sporting moved to safeguard Amorim’s future in 2022, tying him to a new contract which sees his terms expire in 2026. 

There are, however, release clauses in the deal, with foreign clubs being required to part with €15 million to sign the coach. 

Amorim has developed a reputation as a developer of talent throughout his time in the Sporting hotseat, making multi-million euro players out of Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Nunes, among others. 

At the end of this season, highly-rated centre back pair Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio are expected to depart for big money along with striking sensation Viktor Gyokeres. 

Liverpool have been linked with Inacio, available for around €60m, while there are also reports that Sporting attacker Marcus Edwards could be heading to Merseyside, although the Englishman has fallen out of favour in recent weeks. He could be available for €30m.