New Manager for Liverpool 2.0

[Doc_Piptorious]

I know where all the bodies are buried

You bloody well should. You helped me dig the holes they are in.


Though in hindsight we really should have had Norbs get rid of them. Really could have gone full on Brookside given his penchant for building things and digging foundations.

[Norbs]

I'll be kit man.

Proper grounded Saaf Londoners aren't we?

[Doc_Piptorious]

Well, grounded folk are going to be needed to counter the extroverted Irish man

[BG1973]

Wine for my men, we ride at dawn

I never understood that motivational snippet. You want to get me pissed and then out of bed at sunrise. **** you Rusty.

[SB]

I never understood that motivational snippet. You want to get me pissed and then out of bed at sunrise. **** you Rusty.

You two might want to take this to a private room upstairs

[marcus50bucks]

Once again, watching the City v Arsenal game yesterday, made me realise just how much I am going to miss the way we play under Klopp. The high intensity, direct style is something I've gotten so used to and thoroughly enjoy. You can't blink for a second or you'll miss the action.

There is a reason why neutral fans always looked forward to our games against City. We always played high octane football against them as that's our mantra. We don't play for draws or park the bus. I know football evolves but I really don't want to see us going to a slow possession based style. Our current style has been embedded right from the academy level to the first team and I really hope we get a manager that has these principles.

We are never going to get another Klopp but if we can get a manager that has a style as close to how we currently play, it will bode well for the future, insha'Allah.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I never understood that motivational snippet. You want to get me pissed and then out of bed at sunrise. **** you Rusty.

Nope. You are just the serving person. My men and I will be the ones indulging in drinkies.

[marcus50bucks]

Ruben Amorim to Liverpool? Why Sporting coach who took team to first title in 19 years is so in demand
Ruben Amorim has been attracting interest from Europe's top clubs following his success with Sporting in Portugal but what would the 39-year-old coach now linked with the Liverpool job bring to the Premier League? Adam Bate speaks to rival coaches to find out...

Adam Bate
Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal
Monday 1 April 2024 15:56, UK

It has long been inevitable that Ruben Amorim would take one of Europe's biggest jobs. Winning the title with Sporting in 2021 at the age of 36 all but guaranteed that. The fact that he is on course to repeat the feat in 2024 only underlines his ability as a coach.

Sporting recognised that this was a special talent very early, famously paying a huge release clause after his spectacular start at Braga. They bet on his tactical mind, his fierce commitment as a player, but more than anything on the power of his personality.

In conversation with a series of Portuguese coaches, some of whom have pitted their wits against Amorim this season, we will explore his rise, what it is that makes him so impressive as a coach, and, crucially, whether this can be translated into his next job.

Amorim, the player, was part of a fine Benfica team, winning three league titles in Lisbon. He was good enough to make Portugal's World Cup squad in 2010 but is remembered as a worker, in midfield or at right-back. A team man who brought unity.

Injury forced him to retire early at the age of 32, fast-tracking him on a new path as a coach. His time at Casa Pia, then in the third tier, was curtailed as he was forced to resign with the club facing punishment because he did not have the required licence.

Amorim then rejected a role with Benfica's B team, opting to take Braga's instead, where he would have more control. He ascended to the top job within months, taking them from eighth to third, going unbeaten in the league and winning the Taca da Liga.

Sporting were so convinced that they acted swiftly, paying his eight-figure buy-out clause, making him one of the most expensive managerial hires in history. He repaid them with a first title in 19 years in his first full season, bringing clarity at a chaotic club.

'Really intense'

A Benfica fan as a boy, he recalled watching tapes of the great AC Milan side too, but it is Jose Mourinho who he describes as a reference point for his coaching career. He even visited Mourinho to learn from him during his time at Manchester United in 2018.

A scrapper as a player, he shares that underdog spirit, that siege mentality. "I am a bit like that. I identify more with the other side, more thinking about how I am going to beat the opponent and how I am going to try to make sure they do not score goals."

Vasco Seabra, head coach of Estoril, Sporting's neighbours just along the coast, confirms that Amorim's teams reflect his own work ethic.

"His team is really organised and fights a lot," Seabra tells Sky Sports. "He is always trying to improve his players too. He works with young talent but also with experienced players as well and what they all have in common is that they fight. They are really intense."

It was his character and leadership that helped him to turn things around so quickly in his first two jobs in management. There is a charisma to Amorim that shines through in one-on-one meetings with his players and the face he presents to the world's media.

"I think he wins a lot with his communication," says Seabra. "It is really, really good. His message is clear and it is easy to understand. The players connect with him easily. Even on the outside, for the reporters and the public, it is really simple and really concrete."

Vitor Campelos, currently head coach of Portuguese top-division side Gil Vicente, knows Amorim well having won and lost games against him with Chaves last season. He echoes this view of the now 39-year-old coach as an expert communicator off the pitch.

"He has this positive mindset, a really good mentality," Campelos tells Sky Sports. "He has created a good connection between him and the players and also with the president. He is always straight with the players and even with the press he is a straight person."

'An ability to shape diamonds'

There is no doubt that Amorim's reputation as a player in Portugal has helped him to get his ideas across quickly. "He has this add-on having been a player and, with having these ideas as well, that puts him on another level," Joao Nuno Fonseca tells Sky Sports.

Fonseca was the assistant manager of Benfica B during Amorim's rise and is particularly appreciative of the work that he does with young players. Sporting boast one of the best academies around but had previously been unable to make that count like Benfica.

"The work that he has done and is continuing to do in developing young talent is the biggest reason for his success," Fonseca explains. "Sporting have an amazing academy with a lot of talent. And Ruben is a coach who has an ability to shape diamonds."

He adds: "I know how difficult it is to manage those egos at Benfica. Making that step from the youth to the first team, you need to have a certain sensibility. At the same time, the president is demanding performances and results. He has delivered all of it."

'Likes to bet on young players'

Having lost star player Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United just weeks prior to his arrival, Amorim built a new team - a better team. "He is the kind of coach who likes to bet on young players," says Campelos. It was a gamble that ended Sporting's long title drought.

Pedro Porro, now at Tottenham, came in on loan from Manchester City. Matheus Nunes, now at City, was introduced in midfield. Tiago Tomas and Nuno Mendes were blooded from the academy. It was young Pedro Goncalves who fired Sporting to glory that season.

Mendes left for Paris Saint-Germain at the end of that campaign, key midfielder Joao Palhinha departing for the Premier League alongside Nunes the following year. The sales brought a brief dip in results, corrected emphatically this season, but big profits.

Executives take note of such things. "Big clubs are looking at him because they understand that the academy brings profits," says Fonseca. "I would say his biggest quality is the human side and how he has been able to shape those diamonds that he has."

That Amorim has been able to rebuild is a testament to his tactical acumen. New heroes have emerged, including English winger Marcus Edwards and striker Viktor Gyokeres, signed from Coventry in the summer, whose goals have taken Sporting back to the top.

The formation remains the same, it is the base from which he works. "It is difficult because he always plays with that line of five," says Seabra. Others would describe it as a 3-4-3 formation in possession. "When they are defending, it is 5-2-3," says Campelos.

"He likes to have technical players in the forward line with the two wingers, Edwards and Pedro Goncalves. Edwards is having a good season. But the biggest surprise here is the striker who was in England. He is an amazing player. He is strong and he is fast."

Europe has been more testing, although Sporting did eliminate Arsenal from the Europa League last season. "Ruben has a tactical flexibility. He bases it on the opponent, particularly in Europe. He always considers the weaknesses of the opponent," says Fonseca.

"He plays a high defensive line most of the time and is good on transitions. It is still a positive game idea based around ball possession. This arrogance in the playing style is very positive for young players because they have this no-fear mentality. That is key."

'An amazing coach'

It is easy to see why such a coach would appeal to Europe's biggest clubs, although prising him away from Sporting is not so straightforward. His hefty release clause is a factor and so is his loyalty. The control he enjoys would not be replicated elsewhere.

"Even at Sporting, there is good money," says Campelos. "It is not so easy to change to another team. Ruben is waiting. He is smart. He is a clever guy. For sure, he is waiting to take the right step. Waiting for a team where he can have success."

There is confidence, however, that when he does choose to leave, he will succeed. "I think he is ready to be in the best leagues," says Seabra. Picking the right club is the important thing now. He has been patient. "I think it is a result of his personality," says Fonseca.

"If a big Premier League club calls, he will discuss it, of course, because he has big ambitions. But when the club gives you the conditions to work, when you feel adored by the people around you, why would you change to something that is unpredictable?"

It is a mistake that Andre Villas-Boas made when taking the Chelsea job after just one season at Porto. In a sense, Amorim has already avoided that error by continuing his education at Sporting this long, mirroring the decision of Xabi Alonso to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

"In Portugal as in England, you have good coaches and not so good coaches," says Campelos. "Sometimes clubs just want a Portuguese coach who has nothing in common with those who succeed. In Portugal, we are thinking, 'Oh no, that team will have problems'."

But Campelos does not put Amorim in that category. None of his peers do. "I think Ruben is an amazing coach," says Seabra.

The Premier League could be about to find out.

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...s-so-in-demand

[Norbs]

Nope. You are just the serving person. My men and I will be the ones indulging in drinkies.

Who you getting to taste the tea I'm brewing before you drink it?

[banditos]

From that article, ir doesnt sound like Amorim would be a good fit culturally or in terms of playing style.

[SB]

From that article, ir doesnt sound like Amorim would be a good fit culturally or in terms of playing style.

Why? The Mourinho link is the only thing I dislike.

[Cerbie]

From that article, ir doesnt sound like Amorim would be a good fit culturally or in terms of playing style.

From Chat GPT on his interpersonal style….

Rúben Amorim, known for his coaching tenure at Sporting CP among other roles, is often described as having a direct and assertive interpersonal style. He is seen as a strong communicator who sets clear expectations and standards for his team. Amorim values discipline, hard work, and dedication, fostering a culture of accountability and resilience among his players.

His approach is also characterized by adaptability and innovation, showing a willingness to experiment with tactics and formations to best utilize his squad’s strengths. Despite his relatively young age for a football manager, he commands respect through his tactical acumen, leadership qualities, and the ability to motivate and develop players.

Amorim is also recognized for his capacity to build strong relationships with his players, balancing firmness with support and showing genuine interest in their development both on and off the pitch. This blend of qualities has contributed significantly to his success as a coach, making him one of the most promising figures in football management today.

And tactically

Rúben Amorim is known for his tactical flexibility and innovation, but he has shown a strong preference for systems that allow his teams to be solid defensively while being dynamic and versatile in attack. His tenure at Sporting CP has been marked by a preference for a 3-4-3 formation or variations of it, such as 3-4-2-1, which has been integral to his tactical identity.

1. Three-at-the-back System: Amorim’s setup often features three central defenders, which provides solidity and numerical superiority at the back. This system allows his teams to be more secure against counter-attacks and provides a strong foundation for building play from the back.

2. Midfield Versatility: In midfield, he favors a combination of a more defensive-minded midfielder paired with another who can link up play between defense and attack. This setup ensures balance in the middle of the park, with the ability to disrupt the opposition's play and initiate attacks.

3. Width and Overlapping Runs: The use of wing-backs is crucial in Amorim’s tactics, providing width and depth. These players are essential in both defense and attack, contributing to overloads on the flanks, delivering crosses, and making overlapping runs to support the forwards.

4. Fluid Front Three: The attacking trio is often composed of versatile forwards who can interchange positions, drop deep to collect the ball, or stretch the opposition’s defense with runs behind. This fluidity makes it difficult for opponents to mark and contain Sporting’s attacks.

5. Pressing and Intensity: Amorim’s teams are known for their high-intensity pressing, aiming to recover the ball quickly after losing possession. This aggressive press is part of a broader strategy to dominate games and unsettle opponents.

6. Adaptability: Despite having a preferred system, Amorim has shown adaptability in his tactics, making adjustments based on the squad available and the specific challenges posed by opponents. His ability to read the game and make effective in-game changes has been a hallmark of his managerial career.

Amorim's success with these tactics at Sporting CP, including winning the Primeira Liga title in the 2020-2021 season for the first time in nearly two decades, highlights his tactical acumen and adaptability as a coach.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Who you getting to taste the tea I'm brewing before you drink it?

Like I am not used to folk putting a drop of arsenic or mercury in my beverages.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/migueldelaney/status/1775121276178165886"]https://twitter.com/migueldelaney/status/1775121276178165886[/ame]

[banditos]

Why? The Mourinho link is the only thing I dislike.

I guess the comments about him being a scrapper, underdog and doing whatever it takes to stop the other team remind me of Simeone's Atletico. I haven't seen much of his Sporting side, so maybe I shouldn't jump the gun.