“The project I want”- Portuguese manager linked with Chelsea hot seat speaks out

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim speaks out after links to Chelsea hot seat amidst conversations with Todd Boehly

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly had held conversations with Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim before hiring Graham Potter, according to Sky Sports News (h/t Express). However, the Portuguese has claimed he is happy in Lisbon at the moment.

The Blues sacked Thomas Tuchel after Dinamo Zagreb beat the Stamford Bridge side 1-0 in the first match of the 2022/23 Champions League group stage. And the new owner had an eye on several candidates before getting the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager.

Speaking to O Jogo (h/t Express), Amorim hinted at being keen on staying at Sporting CP. The Portuguese spoke about Chelsea’s managerial appointment and claimed that he had no interest in a move elsewhere. The Blues have prior experience in hiring a young coach from Portugal, doing so in 2011 when they signed Andres Villas-Boas from FC Porto.

“The project I am in is the project I want. I have another year and a half of contract. Chelsea have presented a coach for the next five years. I am happy here and I am not thinking about another project.”

Boehly had Potter on the top of the list. However, he did hold talks with Amorim. Other names on the Stamford Bridge side’s owner’s list were Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane.

The Sporting CP head coach joined the Lisbon-based club in 2020. Before that, Amorim managed SC Braga in the Portuguese league. The 37-year-old won the league with the Leoes in the 2020/21 campaign.

In the end, Chelsea appointed Potter. The English head coach was given charge of Brighton in 2019. The 47-year-old had amassed quite a reputation in England for his time managing in Sussex.

Last season, Potter steered the Seagulls to a top-half berth in the Premier League. Brighton ended the 2021/22 campaign with 51 points managing a ninth-place finish in the table.

Before leaving the Sussex-based club for Chelsea during the current campaign, Potter had his side in fourth place in England’s top flight. Having played six games in the PL, Brighton have lost one and drawn one.

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Amorim and Potter are two different coaches. And the Englishman has experience in the PL. Hopefully, the 47-year-old brings success to the club in his time in London.