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.