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Ruben Amorim: Tactics and playing style: Sporting CP coach favorite for Liverpool job after 'agreement in principle' to replace Klopp

Ruben Amorim has quickly become one of the most promising young coaches in Europe – and if the latest rumors are to be believed, he could soon be joining Liverpool.

Reports on April 9 suggested he was set to be named the Reds' new boss to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, with an “agreement in principle” reportedly having been reached.

Sky Deutschland was among the first broadcasters to report the news that he will sign a contract at Anfield until 2027, although Liverpool have not yet confirmed this and have appeared to play down the speculation.

However, if it becomes official, it would be the latest chapter in Amorim's spectacular rise.

During his playing career, he played a midfield role in his native Portugal with Belenenses and Benfica before his coaching skills put him on the watch list of many of the continent's biggest clubs.

He first came to attention during his time with Braga in 2019 at the age of 34, before taking another step in the right direction at Sporting CP. Sporting impressed during their short spell at Braga with ten wins from 13 games. He reacted quickly and paid a significant fee to release him from his contract.

His name has come under a lot of spotlight in recent weeks, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all needing new managers in the summer of 2024.

Here, The Sporting News takes a look at his career so far with the Portuguese giants and what Amorim could bring to Anfield.

MORE: Xabi Alonso drops out to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

Tactics and playing style by Ruben Amorim

In his first full season with Sporting, Amorim led the team to a historic domestic double, claiming their first league title in almost two decades while suffering just one league defeat – a testament to his tactical and managerial skills.

Amorim's leadership style has seen him adopt a back three coupled with a possession-based approach.

He likes to allow his centre-backs to build play by breaking lines through the middle, supported by a deep-dropping double pivot. This allowed Sporting to advance the ball efficiently while maintaining control of the games.

Amorim's tactical flexibility allows for adjustments to the team's shape mid-game and can see his players change their passing options and forward movements.

When attacking and in the final third, Amorim's fluid front three rotates and exploits spaces behind the opposition lines. Without possession, Sporting plays an intense pressing game, similar to Klopp.

Their goal is to disrupt the opponents and quickly regain possession of the ball by blocking the front three passing routes and using pressing traps. Your defense organization puts pressure on your opponents and limits their options.

Although he remains focused on continued success with Sporting, he is clearly a wanted man. As his managerial career continues to unfold, Liverpool fans watch as they wait for their club to make an official move.

MORE: The best and closest Premier League title races in history

Will Amorim become Liverpool's new coach?

Xabi Alonso was the first leading candidate to be named as Klopp's successor at Anfield, but he was ruled out.

Alonso is on the verge of leading Bayer Leverkusen to their historic first Bundesliga title and he has confirmed he will stay on next year.

At a press conference at the end of March, Alonso said: “We had a lot of speculation about my future. We had a lot of games, were pretty busy, pretty focused and I wanted to use the international break to think and make a decision.

“Last week I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes] and Fernando [Carro] and informed them of my decision to remain coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

“It is the right place for me to develop further as a coach. The fans have shown great support this year. They have every reason to believe and dream that we can have a great season. The players have given me so many reasons to continue to believe in it. “My job in the team is not over.

This development has further strengthened the position of potential candidates such as Amorim, who is clearly well-regarded at Anfield, and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Julian Nagelsmann and Pep Lijnders were also on the list of potential candidates but were not considered top candidates.

Contract details of Ruben Amorim

With Sporting currently at the top of the Portuguese league, it won't be easy for the Reds to catch him. The Times reported that Amorim's contract contains a release clause of up to £17 million.

The Portuguese club extended his contract in 2022 and runs until 2026. Amorim said at the time that he was very happy and that the extension gave him great confidence.

“It is very important for every coach to gain the trust of a club when you still have a contract, especially during the worst period that we have experienced as the coaching staff at Sporting CP.”

“The extension with me for a longer period of time is a sign of great trust. Despite the problems that all families face, we have managed to resolve them and we are ready for another very difficult three-year cycle.”

“I would like to thank all the sportinguistas (fans of the club) and tell them that we have three difficult years ahead. We know this. We will experience a lot of joy and sometimes disappointment. We will do everything we can to make Sporting CP a much better club in three years. Thank you for your trust, I am very happy and I am where I want to be.

MORE: How does Liverpool replace a manager like Klopp?

Why is Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool?

Klopp's decision to step down from his role at Anfield surprised everyone.

He made the announcement in January in an emotional video and written message on the club's website, citing that he had “run out of energy” to meet the demands of management at the highest level.

The news hit Liverpool fans hard, but it also caused a stir in the Premier League.

Klopp's rivalry with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has proven to be the defining battle of his time in English football.

In 2018, Liverpool knocked City out of the Champions League and suffered a final defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev.

They also lost to Los Blancos in the 2022 final, but Klopp secured Liverpool's sixth European title when they beat Tottenham 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid in 2019.

This success enabled glory at the 2019 editions of the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Liverpool also won the domestic knockout double of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in 2020/21.

Liverpool lifted another trophy when they beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final in February and Klopp has a young, exciting team this season with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and a rejuvenated Trent Alexander-Arnold compiled.

They are currently level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table and are chasing the league title this year.

After joining the club in October 2015, Klopp provided a clear explanation for his impending departure in a conversation with Liverpool's internal media team on January 26.

“I will be leaving the club at the end of the season. “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people when you read it for the first time,” he said.

“Of course I can explain it, or at least try to explain it. I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about this city, I love everything about our fans, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything.”

“The fact that I’m still making this decision probably shows you that I believe it’s the decision I need to make. It's that I'm… how should I put it… running out of energy.

“I don’t have a problem now. I think I've known for a while that I'll have to announce it at some point. But I'm absolutely fine now, but I also know that I can't do the job over and over again.

“After all the years we’ve had together, all the time we’ve spent together, all the things we’ve been through together, the respect for you and the love for you has grown. The least I owe you is the truth. And this is the truth.” “

MORE: Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool: Full interview explaining Anfield exit and allaying health fears

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