Amorim unhappy with reports that Sporting are lining up shock successor

Ruben Amorim's Sporting CP are facing a crucial week in their season, taking on Benfica in the Taca de Portugal semi-final second leg on Tuesday night before facing the same opposition on Saturday in a crucial Liga Portugal showdown.

The Lions currently lead Benfica by a point and have a game in hand and the weekend’s table-top clash will go a long way to deciding the fate of the title.

Sporting are seeking to dethrone their Lisbon rivals, the reigning Primeira Liga champions, having last won the title back in 2020-21.

Highly-regarded coach Amorim led Sporting to that title victory, their first in 19 years, and has since seen his reputation skyrocket.

The 39-year-old is now favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager with reports this week suggesting that Sporting had already lined up a replacement.

Anthony Barry, the Portugal assistant manager, had been mentioned by a report in the Times as Amorim’s successor should they lose him to Liverpool.

Previewing the cup game against Benfica, Amorim stated that he wasn’t distracted by the rumours linking him to a move to Anfield but the naming of a potential successor got on his nerves.

"The only thing that bothers me is that they already had a replacement for me, but today I told [sporting director Hugo] Viana to be calm and that's not the case. It was the only thing I paid attention to,” he said according to Record.

Amorim signed a Sporting contract extension back in 2022 and he is under contract until 2026. Last week it was revealed that he would be available for a €15 million release clause this summer should any interested parties make a move.

Should Amorim ignore the interest from elsewhere then that release clause drops to €10m in 2025.

Amorim earns rave reviews for player development

The tactician has earned rave reviews for his player development at Sporting with the likes of Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Nunes gaining big-money moves owing to their successes under him.

This season, centre-back pair Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande, as well as star striker Viktor Gyokeres, are among the most coveted players ahead of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have been linked with moves for Inacio and Diomande while Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for Swede Gyokeres.