West Ham SACK Julen Lopetegui after torrid start to the season

by · Mail Online

West Ham have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui following an underwhelming 20 Premier League games in charge.

The Spaniard was relieved of his duties following a poor run of form culminating in a  4-1 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday which followed a 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool.

That result was the straw that broke the camel's back for owner David Sullivan, with the club confirming on Wednesday afternoon that the former Real Madrid boss' time 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 the Club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives,' read the club's statement.

'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 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 side slipped to yet another defeat - this time at Man City
The Hammers have won six of their Premier League matches throughout this campaign

Pressure had been mounting on Lopetegui for some time, starting with a 3-1 loss to Leicester at the start of December which led to the furious away section aiming 'you're getting sacked in the morning' chants the Spaniard's way.

However, a run of four league matches unbeaten - including wins over fellow strugglers Wolves and Southampton - appeared to buy Lopetegui time, who had also jetted home during that run following the death of his father.

But the manner of West Ham's defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City has forced the club's hand, and the club are understood to have begun their search for a new coach before Lopetegui's sacking.  

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been locked in talks with owner David Sullivan over the past 48 hours with a view to replacing Lopetegui.

West Ham ideally want Potter to take the job initially until the end of the season before re-assessing. It is understood the length of contract is a point that still requires resolving.

In the background, the club have worked on a plan B in the event of Potter turning down the role.

Among those believed to be under consideration is Christophe Galtier, who is currently head coach at Qatari club Al Duhail.

The 58-year-old has extensive experience of coaching in France, where he led Paris Saint-Germain, Nice, St Etienne and Lille.

Graham Potter is in pole position to take the West Ham job following discussions this week
Despite bringing in a raft of talent over the summer, Lopetegui was not able to steady the ship

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Long-term target Paulo Fonseca remains on West Ham’s radar, too. Fonseca has come 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 deals for Galtier and Fonseca would be relatively straight-forward to tie up, with both candidates aware of West Ham’s interest. 

Edin Terzic and Michael Carrick also have admirers at West Ham.

But Potter has always been their No 1 target and West Ham are now close to his appointment. 

After a raid from England's new manager Thomas Tuchel saw Chelsea lose two staff members in Henrique Hilario and James Melbourne earlier this season, the Blues could now face further approaches from another former boss.

Ben Roberts and Kyle Macaulay accompanied Potter when he was appointed at Stamford Bridge in September 2022 as a goalkeeper coach and recruitment analyst respectively and both remain on the club's staff.

As he assembles his backroom at West Ham, Potter could swoop to work again with his old colleagues, particularly Macaulay. 

The Hammers did not list their goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero as one of those who departed with Lopetegui on Wednesday morning.

Lopetegui's dismissal comes just months after David Moyes' exit from the London Stadium

WEST HAM STATEMENT IN FULL

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.

Despite guiding the club to European glory and three top-10 Premier League finishes, 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 frustrated supporters were subjected to directionless tactics with no clear motive.  

Potter was in the television studio at the King Power Stadium during the defeat by Leicester on December 3 and admitted he was keeping an eye on a return to management.

'Yeah, of course,' he said. 'As I've said before, you're open to everything.'