Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim has apologised for holding talks with West Ham, saying it was a “mistake”.
The Portuguese met with the Hammers in London in April to hold talks about succeeding David Moyes at the London Stadium.
Amorim says he informed Sporting about the talks and that there was no “secrecy” involved.
However, he added it was “disrespectful” to speak to another club.
“What is important to say is that it was obviously a mistake,” Amorim told Portuguese media in a news conference.
“The trip was a mistake, the timing was completely misjudged, which I did not see at the time. It was misjudged.”
Amorim guided Sporting to their first league title in 19 years during his first full season in charge in 2022.
Sporting are on course to win the title again this season, with the team seven points clear of Benfica with four matches remaining.
Amorim, who held talks with Chelsea in 2022 over replacing Thomas Tuchel, said he must “live with” his decision to meet with West Ham and he hopes the Sporting supporters forgive him.
“I gave the players an explanation. I also gave an explanation to the staff as I should have,” said Amorim.
“But now it is about continuing forward, clearly aside from all that, publicly I ask for forgiveness from the Sportinguistas [Sporting fans]. I apologise to the staff, and also I apologise first and foremost publicly to my players for the mistake.”
Moyes joined West Ham in December 2019 for his second stint in east London and ended the club’s 43-year wait for a trophy with a Europa Conference League victory in 2023.
The Scot is the seventh-longest serving manager across England’s top four divisions.
Moyes’ contract expires at the end of the season, when the club will evaluate his position.
