Sporting manager Ruben Amorim APOLOGISES for West Ham trip

Ruben Amorim has apologised to Sporting CP fans and players for his trip to London earlier this week in order to hold talks with West Ham over their managerial role.

Amorim, 39, had been favourite to land the Liverpool job as Jurgen Klopp’s successor but surprised onlookers with his decision to take a trip by private jet to the British capital alongside his agent in order to discuss terms with the Hammers.

The trip was even more shocking because Sporting are this week preparing for a potentially title-deciding crunch match against arch-rivals Porto away from home on Sunday night.

The ex-midfielder’s move appears to have backfired with Liverpool moving on with plans to sign Arne Slot from Feyenoord and it is now likely that Amorim remains with Sporting.

READ MORE: Who is Arne Slot? The Liverpool-bound coach who made Feyenoord great again

The Lisbon side are close to wrapping up the Primeira Liga title - which would be Amorim’s second - and are also in the Taca de Portugal (Portuguese cup) final against Porto.

Amorim was full of contrition when facing the press on Saturday, using the opportunity to publicly apologise to all associated with the club.

Amorim wants to move on from London trip

“So let's get the elephant out of the room and I'll talk about it once,” he told Sporting’s pre-match press conference ahead of their game against Porto on Sunday night.

“The first thing is to say that the club was aware of my trip. It’s important and changes the context."

“Then, talk about the cloak of secrecy that surrounded the trip. I secretly parked the car outside, secretly passed 15 people, passed people and took photographs and got on a plane. Removing a little bit of this thing that everything was done behind the club's back, that didn't happen.

“The most important point: obviously my trip was a mistake, the timing was completely off, it didn't seem right to me at the time.

“It was inappropriate, even more so when I am so demanding with my players and always the first to say that each one's actions can overpower the team, I have already removed players from the squad for much less.

“It was my mistake, I have to accept it and live with it. It didn't seem so bad at the time, but thinking about it later it's very clear.

“I gave explanations to the players and staff. Now it's time to move on. Obviously, I also use the public part here to apologise to Sporting fans, the staff and, mainly, publicly to my players for the mistake I made.”