Amorim targets Sporting titles as he scotches Tottenham links

Ruben Amorim intends to stay as Sporting CP head coach after being linked with a move to Tottenham.

It appears likely Antonio Conte will end his short tenure at Spurs at the end of the season, when his contract expires.

Conte will have spent less than two years at the helm of the north London side, leading them into the Champions League but proving unable to deliver a trophy.

Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper and Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi have also played down links to Tottenham.

Amorim has attracted attention as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches, impressing at Braga before joining Sporting in March 2020 and winning a Primeira Liga title in his first full season in charge.

Sporting were runners-up to Porto last season and are only fourth this term, but 38-year-old Amorim remains widely admired.

Asked about reports of Tottenham interest at a press conference on Saturday, Amorim said: “My objective is that I have a contract with Sporting for another three years and in my head is to be champion at least once more in those three years.

“If we win two championships in that time it’s a step forward. I’m interested in showing results and not what is said abroad.”

The coach, whose team play Boavista on Sunday, last week chalked up his 100th win in charge of Sporting as they beat Portimonense 1-0 on league duty.

and counting… #Amorim100 #SportingCP pic.twitter.com/mLhd53w5PJ

— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) March 4, 2023

Sporting allowed defender Pedro Porro to join Tottenham in January, but Amorim may be more difficult to prise away from Lisbon.

Amorim was quoted in Portuguese media on Saturday as saying: “I’ve always been treated well in Portugal, they follow my day to day; abroad they watch European games and titles, not the daily context.

“I’ve always felt recognised. When I’m good, I’m the greatest. My goal is to get back to being very good.”