Amorim tipped to replace Klopp at Liverpool

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Publication title: Post

Now Amorim, at 39, is the favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

Other coaches have come from Portugal with huge reputations.

Andre Villas-Boas failed to live up to expectations in 2011. But everything about Amorim suggests he really could be something special.

“I don’t know if I am going to be good or bad, but that is what I am going to be,” Amorim told Tribuna Expresso in 2017 as he confirmed his plan to move into coaching.

Amorim quit playing at age 32 after a fine career was blighted by injuries.

He has made his name as a coach at Sporting, but he starred as a player for rivals Benfica.

“I can see myself coaching Benfica, or one of the world’s biggest clubs. Obviously, only time will tell and you need so much luck,” he said.

Amorim began playing at Belenenses, the modest outfit from the Lisbon suburb Belem. He worked under Jorge Jesus there, helping them finish fifth and reach the Portuguese Cup final in 2007.

In 2008, he joined Benfica, and a year later he was reunited with Jesus. Amorim mainly played at right-back as a team featuring David Luiz and Angel Di Maria romped to the title.

The following season, Benfica were overtaken by Villas-Boas’s Porto and Amorim struggled with a knee injury.

He needed a long loan at Braga to relaunch his career, and went back to Benfica, and Jesus, in 2013/14.

Playing regularly in midfield, Amorim starred as they won a domestic...