Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has backed Ruben Amorim for success at Liverpool.
The Liverpool managerial saga might have already ended in the background after months of speculation on who the man would be to replace the formidable Jurgen Klopp. In the wake of the German’s announcement to leave in January, the media has linked many names in the background.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso was the hot favourite for a long time until he chose to stay where he was for the time being. Bayern Munich was also keen on the Spaniard, who had just clinched the Bundesliga title under the Bavarians’ noses.
Some outlets also suggested other names like Ange Postecoglou, although Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim has emerged as the top target. The Portuguese boss has a modest release clause that some top clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona are willing to fork out to get the 39-year-old manager.
However, it appears that Liverpool may have a verbal agreement in place with Amorim, although there’s some silence as the 39-year-old manager focuses on his job at Sporting CP. The Portuguese side is keen on winning the league title.
Amorim recently dismissed those claims on the verbal agreement, which has not deterred the media from moving away from those links. Liverpool is the clear favourite for landing the 39-year-old manager.
Nemanja Matic, the former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder, a player who knows Amorim from his Benfica days, admitted he feels the 39-year-old manager will succeed at Liverpool. His comments appeared on O Jogo via Sport Witness, where the Serbian insisted he would like to see the Portuguese succeed in the Premier League.
Matic said, “Ruben Amorim is an excellent person. He was one of the people who helped me the most when I arrived at Benfica because he speaks English very well. I hope he hasn’t forgotten how to speak it now [laughs].”
“I see Ruben Amorim at a great club, I don’t know if it will be Liverpool, but if it happens I’m sure he’ll be a great replacement for Klopp because Ruben understands football and has the personality and character to be a great coach, he already is at the moment. I’d like to see him in the Premier League, let’s see what happens from now on.”
Matic has backed the 39-year-old manager for success, and from how Amorim has developed this Sporting CP side, Liverpool fans must be optimistic about the probable appointment. There’s still some way to go before they see the Portuguese at Anfield, but they would want Klopp to achieve glory before his departure.
Liverpool are in the thick of the Premier League title race, although they are on the brink of bowing out of the Europa League after a heavy defeat to Atalanta last week. Despite their home loss at the weekend to Crystal Palace, the Reds are near new leaders Manchester City at the top, with Arsenal sandwiched between the two giants on the table.
