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What Manchester City sources say about Ruben Amorim with Pep Guardiola meeting scheduled
Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola will make a decision on his future by Christmas as the Premier League giants dismiss suggestions that Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has been lined up as a replacement.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
As director of football Txiki Begiristain prepares to leave Man City at the end of the current campaign, following Omar Berrada out the door, further questions have been raised about the future of the Premier League champions’ talismanic head coach this week.
Pep Guardiola’s contract expires next summer.
And while TBR understands that former Barcelone boss Guardiola is still happy at Manchester City – the club are prepared to offer him a ‘rolling’ contract rather than a new long-term deal – the man himself is yet to give any real indication as to whether he plans to extend his stay into a ninth year.
TBR can now confirm that Guardiola had been made aware of Begiristain’s decision long before it became public.
But though Manchester City have lined up Sporting Lisbon director Hugo Viana as their first-choice to take Begiristain’s place, sources at the champions have dismissed claims that Ruben Amorim is in line to swap the Estadio Jose Alvalade for the Etihad Stadium too.
Manchester City sources dismiss Ruben Amorim rumour
Amorim, while still only 39, is one of the most hotly-tipped coaches over the summer.
Amorim was on the shortlist of both Liverpool and Chelsea to replace Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino a few months ago. West Ham United also flew the Iberian into London for talks, only for the ex-Portugal international to commit his future to Sporting instead.
Amorin has since led the reigning Portuguese champions to eight wins out of eight at the start of 2024/25. No other team has done that in the 21st century.
Sporting – who’s star striker Viktor Gyokeres has earned the admiration of Arsenal – have scored 27 goals along the way while conceding just twice, Amorim’s shift towards a thrilling brand of attacking football earning him that ‘anti-Mourinho’ moniker.
Man City determined to keep Pep Guardiola as they draw up Rodri plans
Should Guardiola opt to move on, Amorim is likely to be on City’s shortlist.
Especially if Viana, who has played a massive role himself in Sporting’s run of two league titles in three seasons, ends up on the blue side of Manchester.
But, as things stand, City have not approached Amorim or even sounded him out with their sights firmly fixed on tying Guardiola down. Man City sources tell TBR that there are no talks underway yet with any potential successors.
Guardiola is due to meet the City hierarchy during the October international break.
City are hoping for an answer before Christmas, while Guardiola is also keen to hear what the club’s plans are regarding Rodri’s recent, season-ending injury.
TBR understands that Spain international Martin Zubimendi is high on Man City’s wishlist. Real Sociedad playmaker Zubimendi rejected Liverpool over the summer, however, and confirmed this week that he is still happy and content with life in the Basque country.
“My philosophy is to do what I feel [is right] at all times,” Zubimendi says during his pre-match press conference. “In every transfer window, teams come up.
“I think the best thing is to be at [my current] club. Now, I have a lot to give to Real Sociedad.”