ALL ABOUT RU
Meet Liverpool manager target Ruben Amorim, the ‘Mourinho fanboy’ whose business-savvy wife has top football connections
Amorim's missus Maria Joao Diogo is related to a big name in football
LIVERPOOL's search for a heir to Jurgen Klopp's throne may be over.
New reports suggest that Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim has verbally agreed to join the Anfield club.
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His sporting success is known - restoring Sporting Lisbon to the top of the tree in his homeland.
On the touchline he cuts a well-dressed figure, often matching jeans with a hip sweatshirt and fashionable trainers.
While a hoodie and chinos combo is also a go-to look for the trendsetter.
Away from the game, Ruben married stunning missus Maria Joao Diogo in 2013, in front of an audience of famous footballers.
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But, intriguingly, interior designer Maria is very well-connected in the game herself.
Cutting his teeth
Amorim played for Benfica until he was 32, when a career-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury changed his life.
Forced into a change of direction, he began his coaching badges.
Initially, he was labelled a Jose Mourinho fanboy - dazzled by The Special One's tactics that scored success at Porto, Chelsea, and Inter, and citing him as an inspiration.
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It was fitting in the 2018 edition of High Performance Football Coaching that Amorim did his internship under Mourinho.
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His first taste of glory as a manager came with Braga, where he won the Portuguese Cup after just half a season in charge in 2019.
He was immediately head-hunted to become Lisbon boss the following season, where within two seasons he delivered their first league title in 19 years.
Instant success saw him named The Special One 2.0. But the ever so modest Amorim played down the comparison.
"It has nothing to do with it, it makes no sense and I have no illusions about it,” he said.
“I still remember last year everyone was speculating about whether I was going to leave Sporting. There are no comparisons between the great José Mourinho and the Sporting coach.”
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A wife with footballing connections
In 2013, in a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra, Amorim said his 'I do' to the love of his life, Maria.
The groom was the first to the event, and as is tradition the bride arrived 30 minutes later.
160 guests witnessed the beautiful moment, including members of the football world.
Players like Nuno Gomes, Miguel Vítor, Hugo Viana, Luís Filipe and Quim were all present. As was Maria's brother, Antero Henrique.
Antero was famously the former Sporting Director at PSG - and was a Man Utd target, before the Red Devils switched their attention to Dan Ashworth.
He was responsible for the most expensive transfer ever - bringing Neymar to the Ligue 1 giants in a record-breaking £198million from Barcelona.
Antero also managed to convince Kylian Mbappe to snub Real Madrid, when he moved from Monaco.
While Dani Alves, who was fielding several offers from Premier League clubs, was persuaded that his future belonged in the French capital in 2017.
Before his tenure at PSG, Antero modernised Porto's academy and introduced handball and basketball to the organisation.
A club museum and TV channel were also insisted upon by the ambitious football director.
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Maria's sister is also married to a footballer. Inês Diogo is married to a former Braga, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica footballer, Luís Filipe.
Despite her footballing connections, she doesn't work in football.
Instead, she runs her own interior designer firm called Dois Tons.
On their Instagram, she showcases plenty of homes she has given makeovers.
Fashionable coach
Her expertise also begs the questions if she has any influence on Amorim's wardrobe.
The Reds target will give the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi a run for their money in the fashion stakes.
Amorim has shown off a variety of looks as his reputation has grown.
In the warmer months, he keeps it casual in the dugout - wearing a t-shirt with chinos.
When it's cooler, a trendy sweatshirt might be added.
But when the occasion calls for it, Amorim can look dapper in a light suit with a tee underneath.
One thing that is a given is he will most likely be wearing trainers.
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Over the years, he has sported a variety of brands - but favours Nike.
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Reports have suggested Amorim is an avid Yeezys collector too, and boasts an impressive collection. However, this has never been confirmed.
Surely, though, Liverpool fashionista Trent Alexander-Arnold will approve.
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