David Sullivan spokesman reveals reason Ruben Amorim talks fell apart at West Ham United
West Ham United’s hierarchy didn’t hire Ruben Amorim to replace David Moyes because of three clear reasons, a spokesman for David Sullivan is reported to have said.
Speaking to Hammers News (30 October), the spokesman said that while the club did have concerns over the Portuguese’s coaching entourage and release clause at Sporting CP, another issue was key.
That issue was that Amorim’s success as a manager has only come in his native Portugal with Sporting, with the Irons instead choosing to hire Julen Lopetegui, who had previous Premier League experience.
The spokesman said: “There were many reasons we didn’t appoint Ruben.
“He’s a great manager, but he’s a huge gamble as he’s only done it in his own country with one club.
“We liked him very much, but we chose Julen.”
West Ham could live to regret Ruben Amorim snubbing
While it’s true that Amorim’s success as a manager has been exclusively during his time at Sporting, there’s no denying that the 39-year-old has hit some brilliant heights with the Lisbon side.
That’s not deterred Manchester United, who are on the verge of hiring Amorim based upon that track record having sacked Erik ten Hag in the wake of losing to Lopetegui’s Hammers on 27 October.
If Amorim does hit the ground running at Old Trafford – something which Lopetegui certainly hasn’t done in East London – Irons fans will have questions over the judgement of Sullivan and the club’s hierarchy.
While Amorim has had a near-perfect start to the season with Sporting, the Irons have done anything but that, with the controversial victory over Manchester United only being Lopetegui’s third in charge.
Lopetegui’s experience coaching in Spain, Portugal and England stood him in good stead to become Moyes’ successor, but he’s still a long way away from proving that he was a better option than Amorim.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been given a boost after a key Nottingham Forest player missed an open training session.
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