Liverpool next manager as Sporting CP set out 'plan' for Ruben Amorim

Sporting CP have reportedly not given up hope that Ruben Amorim will stay at the club beyond this summer as he continues to be linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso had initially been the favourite to take over at Anfield at the end of the season but recently committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen, who he guided to a first Bundesliga title last weekend.

Thirty-nine-year-old Amorim, who has Sporting on the brink of a second title in four seasons, is now the favourite to succeed Klopp on Merseyside.

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However, according to a report in the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Sporting president Frederico Varandas has not given up hope of Amorim staying at the Lisbon-based club. It is claimed that convincing the former midfielder to stay is Varandas' "only plan" and should that plan not materialise, any suitors will be made to pay his €20m release clause.

On Friday, it was announced that Julian Nagelsmann, who has also been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant position at Anfield, had signed a new three-year deal with the German national team.

"This is a decision from the heart. It is a great honour to coach the national team," Nagelsmann said.

Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German football association (DFB), added: "It is a strong signal for the DFB and the national team that Julian Nagelsmann will remain national coach beyond the home European Championship, because he is on the wish list of many big clubs across Europe.

"Now there is planning security and everyone can concentrate entirely on a successful performance at the European Championship."