Ruben Amorim Rejects West Ham Job After Flying to London for Talks

Ruben Amorim, the highly sought-after manager of Sporting Lisbon, flew to London this week on a plane arranged by West Ham United owner David Sullivan to discuss becoming the Premier League club's new manager. However, after face-to-face negotiations, the talks proved unconvincing and Amorim reportedly "instantly" declined West Ham's offer.

The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has been a rumored frontrunner for several high-profile jobs in England, including the Liverpool position. But despite the Reds' initial interest, their enthusiasm for Amorim has waned as they shift focus to other targets like Arne Slot of Feyenoord. Amorim was also interviewed for the Chelsea job last summer before they appointed Mauricio Pochettino.

Sources indicate that West Ham's project was not to Amorim's liking, leading to his swift rejection of their proposal. The club's owner, David Sullivan, reportedly had reservations over Amorim's perceived inexperience and expressed displeasure at the leaked image of the manager at Stansted Airport. This comes despite Amorim's impressive record at Sporting Lisbon, where he has won the league title, two League Cup trophies, and a Supercup victory since taking over in 2021.

With Amorim out of the picture, West Ham are now in talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui as they prepare for the potential departure of current boss David Moyes, whose contract expires this summer. Some at the club believe a younger manager would be a better fit than the 57-year-old Lopetegui. West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is understood to be driving the pursuit of Amorim, who has a hefty €15 million release clause in his contract.

Why this matters: The high-stakes competition for top managerial talent highlights the increasing pressure on Premier League clubs to secure the right leadership to achieve success. Amorim's decision to reject West Ham despite their strong interest emphasizes the challenges clubs face in attracting their preferred candidates in a highly competitive market.

As West Ham continue their search for a new manager, other names in the mix include Lille boss Paulo Fonseca. Meanwhile, Amorim remains a strong candidate for a Premier League move, with Manchester United now seen as the most likely destination if they decide to part ways with Erik ten Hag. "Amorim is at the top of their list of potential replacements, with his release clause set at €10 million for elite clubs," a source close to the situation revealed.

Key Takeaways

• Ruben Amorim, Sporting Lisbon manager, rejected West Ham's offer to become their new manager.
• Amorim has been linked to several high-profile jobs in England, including Liverpool and Chelsea.
• West Ham are now in talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui as a potential replacement.
• Amorim has a hefty €15 million release clause in his Sporting Lisbon contract.
• Manchester United are now seen as the most likely destination for Amorim if they part ways with Erik ten Hag.