Sport Nation 2Manchester City are reportedly eyeing Ruben Amorim, the highly regarded manager of Sporting CP, as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, a move that could have a significant impact on West Ham United fans. The interest in Amorim stems from his tactical prowess, and it has left many West Ham supporters frustrated, especially considering that Amorim was once considered a potential candidate to take over their club before Julen Lopetegui was appointed.
West Ham and Manchester City: Diverging Paths
Over a decade ago, West Ham United and Manchester City were clubs of a similar stature, each striving to establish themselves in English football. However, under Guardiola’s leadership, Manchester City has become one of the most dominant teams in world football. Guardiola has led City to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, solidifying their status as a global football powerhouse.
Meanwhile, West Ham, under David Moyes, managed to secure their first major trophy in 43 years in 2023, which was a remarkable achievement for the club. However, despite this success, the Hammers have struggled to reach the consistent heights achieved by Manchester City under Guardiola. West Ham’s ambitions to break into the upper echelons of English football have faced challenges, with the club often underachieving in the Premier League.
In May 2024, Moyes left West Ham, and Julen Lopetegui was brought in as his replacement. Lopetegui, known for his experience managing top clubs in Europe, was seen as a solid appointment. However, many fans had hoped for a different direction, one that would see West Ham adopt a more attacking, possession-based style of football.
The Ruben Amorim Saga
Before Lopetegui’s appointment, there were strong links between West Ham and Ruben Amorim. The Sporting CP manager was seen by many as the ideal candidate to take West Ham to the next level. Amorim’s reputation as a rising star in European football had grown rapidly, and his success at Sporting made him a sought-after figure.
Amorim’s style of football is what many West Ham fans craved. Known for his high-tempo, possession-based approach, Amorim has built a Sporting team that dominates matches. This season, his team has averaged 65.4% possession, the highest in the Portuguese league, even surpassing Benfica. Amorim’s tactical flexibility and intensity on the touchline have drawn comparisons to some of the best managers in Europe, including Guardiola himself.
In April 2024, it was reported that West Ham had opened talks with Amorim, with the club’s ownership seeing him as the man to bring a fresh identity to the London Stadium. However, those talks did not go as planned. Amorim flew to London for a meeting with West Ham’s owners, but the discussions reportedly fell apart. He returned to Sporting, where he publicly apologized to the club’s supporters for meeting with West Ham in the midst of a title race.
Many West Ham fans were disappointed that the club did not push harder to secure Amorim’s services. They believed that he was the man who could implement a more progressive and exciting style of play, one that was starkly different from the more pragmatic approach employed by Moyes. The fact that Amorim is now being linked with Manchester City has only added to that frustration.
Manchester City’s Interest in Amorim
According to reports from Brazil, Manchester City view Ruben Amorim as the ideal replacement for Pep Guardiola when the Spanish manager eventually decides to leave the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola, who has revolutionized football at Manchester City, has long been admired for his possession-based philosophy and his ability to build dominant teams. The club’s interest in Amorim suggests they see him as someone who could continue that legacy.
Amorim’s tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players have made him a standout candidate for top clubs across Europe. His teams are known for their fluid, attacking football, and his ability to adapt tactically during matches has earned him widespread praise. At just 39 years old, Amorim represents a new generation of managers, one who could potentially carry on Guardiola’s work at Manchester City.
West Ham fans are likely to be “fuming” at the prospect of Amorim taking over at Manchester City. Many feel that the club missed a golden opportunity to bring in a young, dynamic manager who could have transformed the team’s style of play. With Manchester City now circling, it appears that West Ham’s hesitation could come back to haunt them.
Julen Lopetegui’s Early Days at West Ham
To be fair to Julen Lopetegui, it is still early in his tenure at West Ham, and he deserves more time to implement his ideas. Lopetegui has a wealth of experience managing at the top level, having previously managed Sevilla, Real Madrid, and the Spanish national team. However, the football he has implemented so far at the London Stadium has not lived up to the expectations of many fans.
West Ham supporters were hoping for a more expansive, attacking style of football following Moyes’ departure. Instead, the early signs under Lopetegui have been mixed, with the team struggling to consistently perform at the level required to challenge for European qualification. While it is too soon to judge Lopetegui’s tenure, the frustrations of the fanbase are understandable given the club’s ambitions.
What Could Have Been?
The thought of what Ruben Amorim could have brought to West Ham continues to linger in the minds of many fans. With players like Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paquetá in the squad, West Ham have the talent to play a more attacking brand of football. Amorim’s tactical flexibility and ability to develop young talent could have been the perfect match for a club looking to evolve its playing style.
Now, with Manchester City reportedly eyeing Amorim as a long-term successor to Guardiola, West Ham fans are left to wonder what might have been. The fact that a club as successful as City is considering Amorim only reinforces the belief that West Ham missed out on a special manager.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s reported interest in Ruben Amorim has sparked frustration among West Ham United supporters, many of whom had hoped to see Amorim take charge at the London Stadium before Julen Lopetegui’s appointment. Amorim’s tactical brilliance, high-tempo football, and ability to develop a possession-based system have made him a top target for Europe’s elite clubs, including Manchester City, as they prepare for life after Pep Guardiola.
For West Ham, the failure to secure Amorim now feels like a missed opportunity, especially as the club continues to search for consistency under Lopetegui. With Manchester City potentially poised to bring in Amorim, West Ham’s decision not to push harder for the Sporting CP manager could have long-lasting implications on their future ambitions.
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