Ruben Amorim is in London for talks with West Ham United over becoming their new manager if David Moyes leaves the club.
Moyes is out of contract this summer and despite the Scot saying in February he has been offered a new deal, no decision will be made on his future until the season finishes.
In the meantime, West Ham are duty-bound to formulate contingency plans and Amorim features prominently in their thinking, with discussions taking place between the parties.
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Amorim, 39, travelled to London on Monday for further conversations with West Ham’s representatives. Sporting Lisbon players are not back in training until Thursday as they have been given Tuesday and Wednesday off.
Another option the east London side have assessed is Julen Lopetegui, however Amorim has emerged as the leading target at present.
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While the potential opening is thought to carry appeal for the 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon head coach, it is unclear where West Ham figure among his possible opportunities.
Amorim has also been under consideration at Liverpool, although it looks unlikely he will prove the preferred candidate in their process to replace outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp.
Moyes — who guided the club to a first European trophy since 1965 with the Europa Conference League last season — has overseen 12 league defeats to date this year, including Sunday’s loss to Crystal Palace, which Moyes described as “so bad, I can hardly put it into words”.
West Ham, eighth in the Premier League table, are next in action against Liverpool on Saturday.
Who is Ruben Amorim?
Analysis by The Athletic’s data analyst Mark Carey
Amorim was targeted by Sporting after a hugely successful — albeit brief — stint with fellow Portuguese side Braga that saw him win 10 of his 13 games in charge.
In his first full season, 2021-22, he guided them to a first league title for 19 years with his controlled, possession-dominant style of play, and Sporting look set to add another title to their name this season as they sit seven points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga.
The 39-year-old’s CV is particularly impressive in improving the quality of the team with the resources he has had at his disposal. With many talented players leaving Sporting while he has been in the dugout — including Nuno Mendes, Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha, and Matheus Nunes — Amorim’s stylistic approach has remained unchanged, and that consistency has been key to their title credentials this season.
Even accounting for the imbalance of the Primeira Liga, a side who boast, statistically, one of the best attacks and the best defence across Europe’s top seven league shows that their manager must be having a positive effect.
As a coach known for fielding young players and improving individual player performance, you can understand why he is highly sought-after.
GO DEEPER
This felt like the end of an era for West Ham and David Moyes - clarity is needed soon
(Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)