West Ham in talks with Ruben Amorim over replacing David Moyes amid Liverpool links

Sporting CP coach is in high demand as Hammers ponder post-David Moyes future, having also eyed Julen Lopetegui
Nizaar Kinsella22 April 2024

West Ham have held talks with in-demand Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim as David Moyes stands on the brink of leaving the club at the end of the season.

Moyes’s future has long been under discussion and was thrown into major doubt with Sunday's 5-2 defeat to Crystal Palace, but no decision has been made on whether he will renew his contract, which expires in the summer.

West Ham have won just four of 21 matches played in 2024, leaving them eighth and with increasingly slim chances of qualifying for Europe with left four games left to play. Bayer Leverkusen also knocked them out of the Europa League last week.

Alternative options are being sounded out, including Liverpool target Amorim, who is on the Anfield club's Jurgen Klopp replacement shortlist.

Images out of Portugal on Monday evening showed the manager boarding a private jet to England for talks with both West Ham and Liverpool.

Amorim, 39, was also interviewed by Chelsea before they opted to appoint Mauricio Pochettino last summer and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting coaches in Europe.

He is battling for a league and cup double in Portugal, having already won three cup competitions at Braga and Sporting as well as the 2020-21 Primeira Liga title.

The Hammers are also believed to have discussed hiring former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui. Lopetegui is keen on a return to the Premier League, and AC Milan are said to be interested.

West Ham have denied reports that they have offered Lopetegui a three-year deal.

They face Liverpool, Chelsea, Luton, and Manchester City in a difficult run of fixtures to end their campaign.