Ruben Amorim: Sporting Lisbon coach sorry for West Ham talks

Ruben Amorim, coach of the Portuguese team Sporting Lisbon, apologized for holding talks with West Ham, saying it was a “mistake.”

Amorim says he informed Sporting of the talks and that there was “no secrecy” about the matter.

But he added that it was “disrespectful” to talk to another club.

Amorim told Portuguese media in a press conference: “The important thing is to say that it was a clear mistake.”

“The flight was wrong, the timing was completely wrong, which I did not see at the time. It was a miscalculation.”

Amorim led Sporting to their first league title in 19 years during his first full season in 2022.

Sporting is heading to win the title again this season, seven points ahead of Benfica with four games to go.

“I gave an explanation to the players. I also gave an explanation to the staff as I should have,” Amorim said.

“But now it's about continuing to progress, and regardless of all that, I publicly ask for forgiveness from the athletes.” [Sporting fans]. “I apologize to the staff, and I also apologize first and foremost publicly to the players for the mistake.”

Moyes joined West Ham in December 2019 in his second spell in east London and ended the club's 43-year wait for the trophy by winning the Europa League in 2023.

The Scot is the seventh longest serving coach in England's top four divisions.