Ruben Amorim: West Ham manager target makes Sporting title promise in blow to Hammers

Ruben Amorim appears to have ruled himself out of the running to become West Ham’s next manager after vowing to lead Sporting’s pursuit of another Portuguese title next term.

Amorim last month flew to London for talks with West Ham late as the club began their hunt for a potential successor to David Moyes, who is widely expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

On return to the Portuguese capital, however, Amorim apologised to Sporting supporters over the timing of that trip, with his club still chasing the title.

Their success was confirmed on Sunday when second-placed Benfica lost 2-0 to Famalicao, leaving Sporting eight points clear at the top of the table with only two games left to play.

It is the second title of Amorim’s reign, following the triumph of 2020/21, and the 39-year-old, who has a contract until 2026, says he is already eying a third.

“[I have] huge happiness, we have to go and celebrate,” Amorim said, according to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha. “Stay? There are still more things left [to achieve]. I have a contract and I'm Sporting's coach.

“Let's celebrate today. [I’m] excited, yes, because it wasn't the same [as the last title]. We had the Covid phase and it wasn't the same. I saw the Benfica game today. I had a good time, with my players, we were having dinner and everything went well.

“I stay, I have a contract with Sporting. It's special, the first one was strange, without crowds and without European competitions. This time we did it, now we can try the third.”

West Ham technical director Tim Steidten was thought to be keen on what would have been an ambitious appointment of one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches.

As things stand, former Real Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui is the frontrunner for the role, though both the club and Moyes insist no firm decision on the Scot’s future will be taken until after the final game of the season.

Unlike Amorim, Lopetegui has Premier League experience from his time at Wolves and is currently out of work, meaning the Hammers would not have to pay a release clause, both factors known to be attractive to co-chairman David Sullivan.

Talks have progressed well with the Spaniard, though other candidates are still being considered.

Moyes’s final season looks to be drifting towards an underwhelming end, with yesterday’s 5-0 mauling at Chelsea ending any slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Next weekend’s meeting with Luton now looks certain to be the 61-year-old’s final home game in charge, before West Ham travel to title-chasing Manchester City on the final day.