Ruben Amorim was all smiles as his arrived back in Portugal this morning following talks with West Ham greeted by press hounds.
The future of top young Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim is big news in Portugal.
So when he jetted to London for talks with West Ham yesterday, it caused quite the stir.
Not only among Hammers fans but in Amorim’s homeland too.
The 39-year-old has been a top contender to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer.
There was a major twist yesterday, though, when respected source David Ornstein claimed West Ham were holding talks with Amorim.
The Sporting boss had given his players two days off after a 3-0 win at the weekend put them one victory away from securing the Portuguese title for a second time in his tenure.
Ornstein stated that the Hammers are serious about the ambitious move for the coveted young manager.
Amorim held West Ham talks but what about Liverpool?
The Athletic journalist also claimed the West Ham job appeals to Amorim because Liverpool are now unlikely to make him their replacement for the departing Klopp.
There appeared to be a gut-wrenching Liverpool twist for the Hammers last night.
Because a Portuguese journalist claimed Amorim was also set to hold talks with Liverpool as well as West Ham when in London.
West Ham fans have craved a more attack-minded, modern approach for some time now. Hence the reason David Moyes will not be staying at the club.
So they are are waking up pinching themselves this morning after confirmation that the Hammers hierarchy held talks with Amorim.
While they’ve been sleeping those talks have concluded and he has flown back to his homeland.
Amorim keeps press guessing as he arrives back in Portugal
And a smiling Amorim kept the press hounds guessing as he arrived back in Portugal after his West Ham talks.
Top Portuguese paper A Bola has published video on its website showing the press pack waiting for Amorim has he made his way through the airport early this morning.
The West Ham and Liverpool target was hit by a flurry of questions about the talks and his future.
He maintained a knowing smile throughout the exchange but didn’t respond.
A Bola headlined the video: “Lots of smiles, a laugh, but not a word on Amorim’s return to Portugal.”
Hopeful West Ham fans will be encouraged.
If things had not worked out or Amorim was not set to join the club then his demeanour would surely be very different?
Hammers fans filled with hope
Indeed if there was no chance of him taking the West Ham job then he may even have said as much to kill any further speculation.
If West Ham can pull this off it would be one of the biggest managerial coups in recent memory.
West Ham had been heavily linked with Xabi Alonso last summer.
That was no surprise given he was appointed at Bayer Leverkusen by Hammers technical director Tim Steidten.
That appears to have been a huge hint as to West Ham’s ambition for change.
Alongside Alonso, Amorim is the world’s top young boss. His philosophy and approach can’t fail to excite Hammers fans.
You can see the video on A Bola’s website.