Jose Mourinho has delivered a glowing appraisal of his compatriot Ruben Amorim, claiming that the Sporting Lisbon manager would be 'capable of coaching at any club'.
The 39-year-old has been in talks to take over at both Liverpool and West Ham. Last week, it appeared the Sporting boss had flown to London to sit down for talks with West Ham representatives over a move to succeed David Moyes.
While his move to Liverpool seems all but off the cards, with the Reds seemingly closing in on a deal to appoint Arne Slot as their successor to Jurgen Klopp, it also seems that a potential move to join the Hammers is also now waning.
Despite that, he is still widely regarded as one of the best young managers in European football right now, with ex-Man United, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss, Mourinho, speaking very highly about his compatriot.
In an interview with Mais Futebol, Mourinho said: 'It's also a question I shouldn't answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] as a person, I like him as a coach.
'I think he's capable of coaching in any league and he's capable of coaching at any club. But he's in a good league and he's at a great club.
'It's his decision and it will be, or not, up to the clubs that want him or don't want him or want to convince him, with more or less arguments.
'What's clear from me is that I like the person and I like the coach.'
Earlier this week, Amorim had apologised for flying to hold talks with West Ham. It came at a crunch point in the season for Sporting, who are chasing down the League title and have three games left this season to play.
They dropped points in the title race to Porto on Sunday evening, after both sides played out a 2-2 draw.
Amorim apologised and admitted it was a 'mistake' to travel to London last week.
'It was a mistake. The timing was completely wrong,' Amorim admitted after flying away in such a critical period of the season.
'I'm always asking my players to be respectful, and I wasn't, even if I informed the club before'.
'I'm so sorry and I apologise to fans, club and players'.