Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim appears have performed a major U-turn after becoming one of Europe's most in-demand managers.
Amorim, 39, has been strongly linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and - on a smaller scale - Xavi at Barcelona, with his Sporting side on the verge of winning their second Primeira Liga title in four full seasons since his appointment. On Monday, it emerged that the Portuguese tactician had flown to the UK for talks over a new job - but not with Liverpool.
Mirror Football understands that his trip to London was in fact to meet West Ham, who are weighing up their options ahead of David Moyes' potential departure this summer. Moyes is approaching the end of his contract with the Irons and their recent run of just one win in eight games has weakened his chances of being handed a new deal.
In an ambitious attempt to steal a march on Liverpool - who notably have an office in London, too - West Ham chiefs sat down with Amorim during his six-hour visit to the English capital. The 39-year-old is now back on home soil but was tight-lipped when quizzed by reporters at Lisbon airport.
Amorim has had to answer plenty of questions over the past few months, however, particularly since Klopp announced that he'd be leaving Liverpool in the summer. Earlier this month, the former Benfica midfielder claimed that he wouldn't be having any interviews with other clubs while he's still in charge of Sporting - yet Monday's event suggests a drastically different story.
Speaking on April 11 amid speculation that he'd reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool, Amorim grew frustrated during a press conference and vowed to the media: "This is the last time I will talk about my future. There was no interview, much less of an agreement.
"The only thing we want, all of us here, is to be champions with 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.
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"And since I really have nothing to say, there will be no interviews or agreements with the Sporting coach. The matter is resolved, whether for his club or another."
While Monday's meeting may well not have been a formal interview but rather discussions over what West Ham and Amorim's respective plans are, his previous comments suggested that he was laser focussed on only the Sporting job.
His team are now within two games of winning the title, having thrashed Vitoria 3-0 on Sunday to stay seven points clear of Benfica. Post-match, the ex-Portugal international was once again asked about his future and replied by saying: "Nothing has changed. I'll be here next week."
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