Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has apologised to the club’s fans and players for his trip to London to speak with West Ham this week.
After news broke that Jurgen Klopp would be leaving his position as manager at the end of the season, Amorim was speculated to be joining Liverpool.
Nevertheless, it soon became clear that West Ham was the front-runner to get the Sporting head coach.
After the 39-year-old and the Hammers met, it was rumoured that the Reds decided to go after Arne Slot from Feyenoord instead.
Now, Amorim has acknowledged that meeting with West Ham to discuss David Moyes’ possible replacement this summer was a “mistake”.
The Trip
Amorim told reporters: “The first thing to say is that the club knew about my trip, that’s the first thing, because it’s important and changes the context.
“The second thing to talk about is this ‘veil of secrecy’ around the trip.
“I ‘secretly’ parked my car outside, ‘secretly’ walked past 15 people, spoke with the people, took photos with people and got on a plane.
“It’s important to take away this idea that it was all done behind the club’s back, that didn’t happen.
“And now the most important point, that obviously it was a mistake.
“The trip, the timing was completely wrong.
“I didn’t think so at the time but it was wrong, especially when I’m so demanding of my players.
“And I’m always the first to say that the problems of individuals can’t take over the team, and I’ve taken players out of the team for much less.
“It was my fault, I have to accept that and live with it.
“I didn’t think it was so bad at the time but thinking back on it it’s very clear.
“I’ve explained this with the players, the staff, but most important now is to carry on.
“I’m using the conference here to say sorry to the Sporting fans, the staff and above all to say sorry publicly to the players for the mistake that I made.”
Amorim’s Future
Amorim travelled to London just before Sporting’s Sunday league match against third-place Porto could see them win the Portuguese championship.
During a period when the team is trying to create history, the former midfield player was thinking on other things.
Where his future goes from here is still unknown.
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In search of manager Moyes’ replacement, as his contract at London Stadium expires this summer, West Ham has been throwing out feelers.
The decision by the Hammers regarding whether to stay or go with the Scot will depend on Slot’s apparent move to Liverpool, which is where Amorim may come into play.
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