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WHAT HAPPENED?
Guardiola’s contract with City is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, and the Spaniard has yet to sign an extension which would have secured his future with the reigning Premier League champions. And Amorim, who has achieved significant success with Sporting CP, is said to be among the top candidates being considered to fill Guardiola’s shoes if the former Barcelona manager indeed seeks a fresh challenge after spending close to a decade at Manchester.
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Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Further fuelling the rumours is Sporting’s current director of football, Hugo Viana, who has agreed to join City next year, replacing Txiki Begiristain as the club’s sporting director. This development has sparked talk of a possible reunion between Viana and Amorim at City, with both having worked closely during their time in Portugal.
WHAT AMORIM SAID
In an interview with Cabine Desportiva, Amorim brushed aside the swirling rumours and said: “Hugo Viana and me, we have different and separate paths. His appointment doesn’t mean that I’m going to Man City. We have a very good professional relationship.”
Interestingly, Sporting and City are set to lock horns in the Champions League next month. Amorim mentioned that Viana would avoid involvement with the Sporting team during that week to prevent any conflict of interest.
“Nothing about Sporting has changed. Nothing. Everything remains the same until the end of the season,” he informed. “Obviously, Viana, during City’s week, won’t be available to enter the dressing room. I’m going to leave him out, to avoid conflicts. Otherwise, everything will stay the same until the end of the season.”
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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AMORIM & MANCHESTER CITY?
Sporting have made a perfect start to the current campaign and currently lead the pack by three points. Amorim will be leading his men again on Saturday against Portimonense in a Taca de Portugal clash. Meanwhile, City will take the pitch a day later against Wolves in the Premier League.
