Ruben Amorim's release clause revealed as Sporting CP boss emerges as shock Klopp replacement contender

Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is on Liverpool’s list of preferred candidates to take over from Jurgen Klopp, according to reports in Portugal. 

Reds manager Klopp delivered the bombshell on Friday that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, despite signing a contract renewal to 2026 only two years ago. 

The announcement led to immediate speculation over the identity of the hugely successful 56-year-old’s successor with focus turning quickly to Xabi Alonso. 

The former Liverpool midfielder, who won the Champions League and FA Cup among other honours at Anfield, has since launched a promising managerial career.  Alonso, 42, coaches Bayer Leverkusen, and they are currently sitting at the summit of the Bundesliga table. 

Given his Merseyside pedigree and burgeoning reputation as manager, the Spain World Cup winner has shot to the top of the list of candidates to replace Klopp. 

And while he is seen as the No.1 favourite to step into the hotseat, there are other figures in the frame. 

One name which has emerged in Portugal is Sporting boss Amorim. The former midfielder, who today celebrates his 39th birthday, has had a transformative effect for the Lisbon side since being appointed in 2020. 

Having won the Primeira Liga title in 2020-21, Amorim has developed into one of Europe’s best young coaches with a host of top clubs around the continent taking interest in his achievements. 

Amorim has a buyout clause of €20m inserted into his current Sporting contract, a figure which is not believed to be an impediment for Liverpool or other interested parties. That's according to an exclusive report in the weekend edition of Portuguese paper Correio da Manha.

He has promoted plenty of emerging talent throughout his time at the club, helping turn the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes and Pedro Porro into multimillion euro assets. This season he has got the best out of record signing, striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has been linked to a return to England with Chelsea seen as contenders to sign the Swede. 

Liverpool are no strangers to Sporting this season with the club having watched centre-back duo Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande on several occasions. 

Reports in Portugal earlier this week linked the pair with a transfer to Anfield for a combined fee of €120m.