Liverpool are closing in on making a decision about who they’ll hire to follow Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds have been looking to make the right appointment ever since Klopp announced his end of season departure back in January.
Having seen initial favourite Xabi Alonso stay put at Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting coach Ruben Amorim now looks like being the likeliest choice.
Amorim isn’t the only name under consideration, with Liverpool reportedly still looking at five different coaches. But with the Reds said to be ‘leading the race’ for the 39-year-old, it feels like they might have found their man.
As a result, we’ve started to see reports of exactly what kind of coach and character the former Portugal midfielder is. The latest to weigh in is former Liverpool midfielder Joao Teixeira.
What has Joao Teixeira said
Teixeira was at Liverpool for around four years in his youth team days. Joining as an 19-year-old, the midfielder went on to play eight times for the first-team, scoring once.
Now 31, Teixeira is playing in China with Shanghai Shenhua. Having also previously played for Amorim’s former team Braga, he appeared as a guest on The Redmen TV today to give some insight into what Liverpool could expect from their potential new manager.
“I never worked with him, I don’t know him personally but I have friends that played in Sporting and before in Braga with him and everyone talks very well about him,” said the 31-year-old.
“The way he works, the way he prepares the team, what kind of football he wants to play, he really believes in that and it’s working of course,” he added.
“I heard he’s a firm guy, he likes to be the boss and he has a hand on everything. I think at a big club like Liverpool you need that because players have egos and you have to control all these kinds things.
“What I know, the players I know and my friends who played under him, everyone likes him and everyone respects him a lot. So, I believe he can be a really good choice for Liverpool.”
How close is Ruben Amorim to joining Liverpool
Although Amorim appears to be the main choice for Liverpool to replace Klopp, nothing seems to be especially imminent.
Sporting actually have an enormous game in the title race this evening, at home to Lisbon rivals Benfica. A point clear of their neighbours at the top of the table, tonight’s game could be decisive in sorting out where the championship goes.
Having already beaten Benfica midweek, Amorim has also taken his team into the Taca de Portugal final. Going for a double, it isn’t the best time to be talking about taking another job.
Consequently, Liverpool fans might have to wait a while before we get any kind of concrete update. But by the sounds of things, if it is Amorim, then he’ll be worth the wait.