West Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui.
Graham Potter is poised to replace the 58-year-old after West Ham held further positive talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss on Tuesday.
Following Lopetegui’s departure, a club statement read: “The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.”
West Ham added: “The process of appointing a replacement is underway.”
Lopetegui arrived at Rush Green early on Wednesday and took training in the morning before seeing his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup clash against Aston Villa cancelled, which was scheduled for 1.15pm.
The announcement of his exit, after just eight months in charge of the club, was then made at 3.15pm.
Lopetegui took over at the London Stadium in May, replacing David Moyes after his contract came to an end at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
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West Ham lost 4-1 to Manchester City on Saturday
Despite overseeing a summer transfer spend in excess of £130m, Lopetegui won just six of his 20 Premier League matches in charge and the Hammers are currently 14th in the table.
Lopetegui was close to the sack in December when the club’s board were split 60-40 over whether to axe him following a 3-1 defeat to Leicester.
He oversaw a 2-1 victory over Wolves in his next game but won just once in the following five matches and West Ham have now ended his tenure, with his last game a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
West Ham’s statement in full
After confirming Lopetegui’s departure, an official statement from the club read: “West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club.
“The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.
“The club can confirm that assistant head coach Pablo Sanz, head of performance Oscar Caro, head analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, fitness coach Borja De Alba and technical coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect.
“The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future.
“The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Potter poised to takeover
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett:
“Graham Potter is imminently going to take over. He is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract as the new West Ham manager.
“West Ham have been in talks with the ex-Chelsea and Brighton boss and he could be in charge for the next FA Cup game against Aston Villa.”
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Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett explains why Graham Potter is a man in demand at the moment, with both West Ham and Everton reportedly keen on his services – should they decide to change manager.
Lopetegui exit seemed ‘inevitable’
Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol:
“It’s difficult to find any West Ham supporters who think Julen Lopetegui should have been given more time. He has been fighting to save his job for months now and it seemed inevitable that the end would come sooner rather than later.
“Lopetegui will argue that he needed more time to implement the change in style of play required after the departure of David Moyes in the summer. He may have a point but ultimately it felt like this would be a wasted season if he stayed in his job.
“There were a few good performances and results – the 2-0 November win at Newcastle United stands out – but overall his employers could just not understand why West Ham were conceding so many goals.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United.
“Lopetegui’s side let in 39 goals in 19 league games and that was unacceptable, especially considering the amount of money that was spent on transfers in the summer.
“West Ham were determined to make sure they appointed the right person to replace David Moyes but it is obvious now they made a big mistake with Lopetegui.
“Apparently, he got the job after a very impressive interview. West Ham fans will be hoping Graham Potter does more than just talk a good game.”
Lopetegui sacking could delay transfer business
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett:
“I expect him [Potter] to be appointed in the next couple of days.
Graham Potter is poised to takeover at West Ham United after Julen Lopetegui’s departure
“Then they will be talking to Potter about which new signings he would like. Virtually every club in the Premier League has a sporting director and a technical director.
“One is dealing with the managerial situation, it may be the sporting director in charge of the footballing policy.
“I understand West Ham are pretty active even after spending £100m in the summer, they are looking at what is out there and are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. It does not put their transfer business on hold, but it might be delayed.”
Carragher ‘expected Lopetegui sack weeks ago’
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher speaking on Monday Night Football:
“They played quite well in an attacking sense [against Manchester City] but West Ham have let themselves down time and time again defensively.
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Jamie Carragher says Graham Potter to West Ham would be a good move for both parties, as pressure continues to mount on current Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui.
“Whenever they get beat, they get beat badly. They’re a mess at the back. There’s no doubt the manager’s position has been precarious but when you think of that scoreline at the weekend, that’s the sixth time this season in the Premier League that they’ve lost a game by three goals or more. In the Carabao Cup, they lost 5-1 to Liverpool.
“When teams get beaten badly, I always think there’s something wrong in the dressing room. It’s how you lose. I was expecting this three or four weeks ago.”
West Ham’s next five games
January 10: Aston Villa (a), FA Cup, kick-off 8pm
January 14: Fulham (h), Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm
January 18: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
January 26: Aston Villa (a), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm
February 3: Chelsea (a), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm
