Xabi Alonso, the current manager of Bayer Leverkusen, is potentially the most wanted man in football right now. Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are said to be keen on hiring the Spaniard, who has just delivered Leverkusen their first Bundesliga title. But, now it appears as though the unexpected is set to happen, and it could result in Sporting CP being thrown into chaos.
Alonso, 42, has taken Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga for their first ever German championship victory, finishing miles ahead of perennial winners Bayern Munich. His team are also remarkably unbeaten in all competitions this term, and going great guns in Europe, yesterday reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. However, even in light of this, Alonso was installed as favourite according to most football betting sites online to be both the next Liverpool and Bayern Munich manager, with both clubs requiring a new man in the hot seat this summer.
Unfortunately for Liverpool and Bayern Munich, it now appears as though their former player is set to stay where he is for at least another season, with a release clause activating in the summer of 2025 for him to take up a new challenge if he so wishes. This news also appears to have thrust Sporting CP manager Rúben Amorim firmly into the spotlight, with the thirty-nine-year-old’s name already being linked with the Anfield hot seat that is soon to be vacated by Jurgen Klopp. And after being mentioned as a candidate for high-profile jobs previously, Liverpool could be too good of a proposition to turn down.
Amorim, like Alonso, has his team at the top of the league, with Sporting CP currently in a two-horse race for the title, one which they expect to win. He’s already guided his current employers to a league title previously and also has three Portuguese League Cups and a Portuguese Super Cup to his name, so the credentials are there, and it could well be the time for Amorim to head to one of the world’s top five leagues to continue his development as one of the most exciting young managers in the game.
Interestingly, Amorim is also represented by the football agency Nomi Sports. Nomi Sports are on good terms with the powers that be at Liverpool after their client, Luis Díaz, headed to Anfield from FC Porto in early 2022. If Sporting CP were to secure the league title this season and potentially win another Taça de Portugal, it could be a perfect time for Amorim to depart after achieving great success with the club during a four-year spell.
A league and cup double would also show Liverpool that their new man is a proven winner who has guided Sporting CP to success consistently over a fair amount of time. The Portuguese’s points per game average of 2.24 across over two hundred games is also one of the best in world football, which is another plus point to consider. What Liverpool think they may have lost in Alonso, they could gain in Amorim.
