Ruben Amorim speaks out on claims he could replace Pep Guardiola as Man City manager after 115 charges hearing

Ruben Amorim has responded to claims he is set to replace Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola's future at the Etihad Stadium remains unclear and he claims he is yet to make a decision, recently telling Italian outlet TV station Che Tempo Che Fa: "I haven't finished my career at Manchester City yet, I still have to think about it."

The Catalan is out of contract at the end of the season and the uncertainty surrounding his situation has been heightened following the news that his long-time friend and colleague Txiki Begiristain is leaving his position as sporting director after nearly 12 years.

Guardiola is extremely close with Begiristain and he was instrumental in bringing him to City.

City have already moved to replace Begiristain, with Sporting CP's Hugo Viana's assuming duties at the end of the campaign.

The 41-year-old, a former Portugal international will receive a handover from his predecessor in order to make the transition smoother.

But his arrival has led to speculation that Viana could be joined at City by current Sporting boss Ruben Amorim.

Viana engineered a deal to bring Amorim in from Braga for a fee of £10 million and the two have had an excellent working relationship, winning two league titles.

Image: Getty

However, Amorim has addressed talk that he could too could be heading and played it down.

"Hugo Viana and me, we have different and separate paths," Amorim told Cabine Desportiva.

"His appointment doesn’t mean that I’m going to Man City. We have a very good professional relationship."

Xabi Alonso has also been named as a potential Guardiola replacement but recent report stated that the likely scenario is that six-time Premier League winner extends with City to complete a decade of service.

The hearing for Manchester City's 115 charges for alleged breaches of Premier League rules is set to be concluded by the end of the year, but even if City lose the case and are punished, The Athletic claim Guardiola is more likely to sign a new deal out of defiance.