- Lopetegui was hired at the end of last season after the departure of David Moyes
- West Ham have only won six of their 20 Premier League games this season.
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all starting! New line-up, some new faces, but optimism has faded at Old Trafford
West Ham have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after 20 disappointing Premier League games in charge.
The Spaniard was relieved of his duties after a poor run of form which culminated in a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday, following a 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool.
That result was the last straw for owner David Sullivan, and the club confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the former Real Madrid manager’s stay in east London has come to an end.
“The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the Club’s ambitions and therefore the Club has taken measures in line with its objectives,” the statement reads. club statement.
“The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and we wish them every success in the future.”
The Hammers added that “the process of appointing a replacement is underway.”
Julen Lopetegui has been sacked by West Ham after a turbulent start to the 2024-25 season
His body language said it all as his team suffered another defeat, this time against Manchester City.
The Hammers have won six of their Premier League games this campaign.
Despite bringing in a wealth of talent over the summer, Lopetegui was unable to steady the ship
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The pressure on Lopetegui had been building for some time, starting with a 3-1 defeat to Leicester in early December, prompting the furious away team to shout “they’re going to sack you in the morning”, they chanted in the direction of the Spanish.
However, a four-match unbeaten league run, including wins over fellow clubs Wolves and Southampton, appeared to buy time for Lopetegui, who had also returned home during that run following the death of his father.
But the form of West Ham’s defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City has forced the club’s hand, and the club is understood to have begun searching for a new manager ahead of Lopetegui’s sacking.
Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter has been in talks with owner David Sullivan for the past 48 hours with a view to replacing Lopetegui.
Ideally, West Ham would want Potter to take the job initially until the end of the season before reassessing him. It is understood that the duration of the contract is a point that still needs to be resolved.
In essence, the club has been working on a plan B in case Potter turns down the job.
Among those believed to be under consideration is Christophe Galtier, who is currently the head coach of Qatari club Al Duhail.
The 58-year-old has extensive coaching experience in France, where he managed Paris Saint-Germain, Nice, St Etienne and Lille.
Long-term target Paulo Fonseca also remains on West Ham’s radar. Fonseca came close to joining the club in the past and is currently out of work after leaving AC Milan at the end of last year.
Mail Sport understands that it would be relatively easy to close deals for Galtier and Fonseca, as both candidates are aware of West Ham’s interest. Edin Terzic and Michael Carrick also have admirers at West Ham.
Graham Potter is in pole position to take the West Ham job following discussions this week.
But Potter has always been his number one target and West Ham are now close to his appointment.
Despite guiding the club to European glory and three top-10 finishes in the Premier League, the Hammers parted ways with David Moyes last summer due to a desire to improve the style of play.
Lopetegui was unable to carry out that instruction and his frustrated followers were subjected to directionless tactics with no clear motive.
Potter was in the television studio at the King Power Stadium during the defeat to Leicester on December 3 and admitted he was keeping an eye on his return to management.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “As I said before, you are open to everything.”