Ruben Amorim has angrily denied that he has interviewed to take over as Liverpool manager when Jurgen Klopp leaves in the summer.
Klopp announced earlier this year that this would be his final season after nine years in charge and Sporting CP boss Amorim is not the first candidate to distance himself from the role.
This announcement comes weeks after Xabi Alonso announced he would stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season despite interest from the Reds and Bayern Munich.
“To end everything around, this is the last time I talk about my future,” Amorim said in a press conference on Thursday.
“There was no interview, much less an agreement [with Liverpool]. The only thing we all want here is to be champions for Sporting, and nothing will change.
“I’ll say it again: I’m Sporting’s coach. There was no interview with any club, no agreement with any club.
“I am focused, as always, on defending my club. And since I really have nothing to say: there will be no interviews or agreements with the Sporting coach.”
Amorim’s Sporting side are currently top of the Liga Portugal and searching for their second title in four seasons, four points ahead of Benfica and into the domestic cup final.
The 39-year-old’s contract in Portugal runs until 2026 and he reportedly has a release clause of around £17m.
Liverpool are not rushing the process of finding Klopp’s replacement and this announcement does not rule Amorim out of the process, but it does show that a deal is unlikely to be signed before the summer.
This could have a knock-on delay in the player and managerial hiring process, which is already being overseen by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
Former sporting director Edwards has returned to the club as managing director of professional football, while former Bournemouth technical director Hughes has taken Edwards’ old job.
Liverpool are currently second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Arsenal and one point ahead of Manchester City. They are also playing Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday eve as Klopp aims to add to the Carabao Cup he has already won in his final season.