Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim distances himself from Manchester City hot seat - 'My path is my path'
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Published 17/10/2024 at 18:30 GMT+1
Speculation has swirled over Pep Guardiola's future as he enters the final year of his contract. Sporting CP's 39-year-old manager Ruben Amorim has been mooted as his replacement, with the Portuguese giants losing their director of football, Hugo Viana, to City next summer. Manchester City and Sporting will face off in the UEFA Champions League on November 5, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has distanced himself from reports linking him to the Manchester City manager's job.
Amorim’s colleague and Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana will replace Txiki Begiristain at the Manchester club come the end of this season.
But Amorim, who won the league with the Portuguese giants for the second time in May, noted that there was no link between Viana’s future and his own.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sporting’s third round cup tie against Portimonense on Friday, the 39-year-old admitted he was aware of speculation in the media, but denied there was anything concrete behind it.
“No, we haven’t talked about it [following Viana to City], because they’re two completely different paths,” said Amorim.
Amorim added: “I know that people have made that connection. Viana’s path is Viana’s path, my path is my path.
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‘What is going to happen is going to happen’ – Guardiola coy on Man City future
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“So we only have a professional relationship which won’t last forever. What will remain is our friendship, that’s for sure.”
Pep Guardiola is out of contract at Manchester City next summer, and has been forced to fend off questions regarding his own post-season plans.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager previously insisted that he “would love to stay” but wanted to make the “right decision”.
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"When I'm leaving, I will say I'm leaving, but I didn't say that," said Guardiola on Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States.
"We will see what happens. But I will not rule it out absolutely to extend my contract. I would love to stay because I would love to stay.
"Nine years today in the same club is an eternity. So I want to be sure it's the right decision. Not just for me, for the club, for the players.”
Guardiola and Amorim will face off in the the UEFA Champions League on November 5, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Former Benfica and Braga midfielder Amorim said special measures will be put in place to prevent any conflict of interest for the match at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
“I can’t control what you [in the media] will say or ask," Amorim said. "What I can control is the answer I give.
“And the only thing that’s changed is that Hugo Viana is leaving at the end of the season, but he’s still our sporting director.
“Nothing about Sporting has changed, nothing at all. So everything remains the same until the end of the season.
“Obviously, Viana won’t be available to come into the dressing room the week of the City game. I’m going to leave him out for a while to avoid conflicts.
“Otherwise, everything remains the same until the end of the season.”
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
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