A manager who has been highly touted as a promising candidate for the Liverpool position has earned a glowing endorsement from a former player of his, who now plays for a Premier League side.
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, who has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential transfer to Anfield in recent months, is confident that his former managers at Braga and Sporting Lisbon, Ruben Amorim, could excel in leading the Reds to success.
Speaking to O Jogo [via Desporto Sapo], the 28-year-old said: “Ruben is a coach with a lot of quality, one of the best in Portugal. He has done an excellent job since Braga.
“He has in-depth knowledge of the game and has a close relationship with the players. The way he is growing, he will not be in Portugal for much longer.”
Palhinha continued: “Capable of taking over Liverpool? Yes, of course, although the pressure is different. When you coach a big Portuguese club, you have pressure from the fans and the size of the club itself, which forces you to win.
“When you coach Liverpool, you have pressure from the fans, the club, and the whole world. The way he is growing, I think it will be a matter of time.”
Palhinha highlighted the weighty expectations that accompany managing Liverpool, contrasting them with Amorim’s experience of handling pressure at clubs where vying for trophies is a baseline requirement.
Amorim clinched the Primeira Liga title in his debut season with Sporting and currently steers them toward another potential triumph, leading arch-rivals Benfica by a slim margin with a game in hand.
While merely advancing from the Champions League group stage, as achieved two seasons ago, would suffice in Lisbon, at Anfield, such an achievement would be seen as a minimum expectation, with hopes of deeper runs in the competition.
Palhinha’s endorsement of Amorim’s capabilities at Liverpool stems from their shared tenure at two clubs, potentially resonating with decision-makers Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
Formal interviews are anticipated in the coming weeks, prolonging speculation, yet it appears Amorim’s name will persist as a prominent contender among the managerial candidates for Liverpool.
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