Ifa sustained period of success is a prerequisite for a coach to upgrade his surroundings, the 39-year-old Sporting boss should have no worries at all. Since taking over at Sporting in March 2020, his Midas touch has been there for all to see, leading the Lions to the Portuguese league title in his first full season in charge (2020-21) – the club’s first championship triumph in 19 years – the Primeira Liga runners-up spot 12 months later, two League Cups (2020-21 and 2021-22) and good progress in the 2021-22 Champions League, when the Green-and-White hoops qualified for the knockout phase for only the second time in the club’s history.
Amorim also emerged smiling after a string of fine wins in Europe last season, defeating Tottenham and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League group stage and then Arsenal on penalties in the last 16 of the Europa League. Up against such outstanding coaches as Antonio Conte, Oliver Glasner and Mikel Arteta, he arguably outsmarted them all.
Will STILL The technical area prodigy, who first became a head coach in Belgium with Lierse at the tender age of 24, is now the much-respected boss of Ligue 1 Reims and his reputation as a wonderkid coach will make him a target for clubs in England.
Francesco FARIOLI With Nice ensconced in the Ligue 1 top two in the first half of the season, the Italian, 34, had admirers galore. Any imminent swoops for his services, though, may have been delayed by a poor run of results that have seen Nice slide down the table.
Kieran McKENNA If the 37-year-old ex-Manchester United assistant coach can complete the astonishing feat of steering Ipswich Town from the English third tier to the Premier League, he will stay at Portman Road. If not, other clubs will come calling.
His Sporting side are currently slugging it out with arch-rivals Benfica for supremacy in this season’s Pr
