Wolves want boss Ruben Amorim to replace axed Bruno Lage as Sporting Lisbon boss tops four-man list of candidates
WOLVES want Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim to replace Bruno Lage who was ruthlessly sacked yesterday.
Club chiefs will draw up a list of candidates today with Amorim, 37, at the top.
But it will cost them £20million in compensation if they want to pry the 7/4 favourite away from the Portuguese giants.
Lage was axed after Saturday’s dismal 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham.
Wolves powerbrokers decided within hours of the final whistle.
But the 46-year-old was only informed yesterday morning his 16-month Molineux stint was over.
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Despite his sacking, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi heaped praise on the ex-Benfica boss.
He said: “Bruno is an excellent coach, a hardworking, dedicated manager, and a warm, wise and honest man.
“He and his staff have been a pleasure to work with, so it is with much sadness we had to make a difficult decision.
“I have no doubts about Bruno’s ability, and am sure he will succeed elsewhere. However the team’s form and performances over the last few months mean we have no choice but to act.”
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Amorim ended Sporting’s 19-year title wait in 2021-22 – his first full campaign in charge – and went on a record 32-match unbeaten run in the process.
He led the Lisbon giants to the Champions League last-16 last season where Manchester City beat them 5-0 on aggregate.
And the former Benfica midfielder masterminded Sporting’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Tottenham last month.
Other gaffers in the running are under-fire Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, former Olympiakos head coach Pedro Martins, and Valencia chief Rino Gattuso.
Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes looks after Gattuso and will be part of the recruiting process.
Wolves look likely to go Portuguese again – after Lage and Nuno Espirito Santo before him.
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They have ten Portuguese stars in their squad.
And the Midlands outfit broke a Prem record for most players from one non-English nation in a starting XI when all ten lined-up for last month’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.