West Ham sacks manager Julen Lopetegui.
The club statement reads: “The first half of the 2024/25 season was not in line with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.”
West Ham added: “The process to appoint a successor is ongoing.”
Graham Potter is ready to replace the 58-year-old after West Ham held further positive talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton manager on Tuesday.
Lopetegui took charge at the London Stadium in May, replacing David Moyes after his contract expired at the end of the 2023/24 season.
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West Ham lost 4-1 to Manchester City on Saturday.
Despite overseeing a summer transfer fee of over £130m, Lopetegui has won just six of his 20 Premier League matches and the Hammers currently sit 14th in the standings.
Lopetegui was close to being sacked last December when the club’s board was split 60-40 on whether to sack him following a 3-1 defeat to Leicester.
He oversaw a 2–1 win over Wolves in the following game, but won just once in his next five games, with West Ham now ending his term with a 4–1 defeat in their final game against Manchester City.
West Ham’s full statement
After confirming Lopetegui’s departure, the club’s official statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that manager Julen Lopetegui has left the club today.”
“The first half of the 2024/25 season was not in line with the club’s ambitions, so the club has taken action to align with those targets.
“The club confirms that assistant coach Pablo Sanz, performance director Oscar Caro, senior analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, fitness coach Borja de Alba and technical coach Edu Rubio have also left the team with immediate effect.
“The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time at the Hammers and wish them every success in the future.
“The process to appoint a successor is ongoing. The club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Preparing for Porter’s takeover
Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News:
“Graham Potter is due to take over shortly. He is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year contract as the new West Ham manager.
“West Ham have spoken with the managers of Chelsea and Brighton and he could be available for the next FA Cup tie against Aston Villa.”
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Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett explains why Graham Potter is currently in demand. West Ham and Everton are reportedly interested in Graham Potter’s services should they decide to change managers.
The transfer project may be delayed due to Lopetegui’s dismissal.
Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News:
“I expect he (Porter) will be appointed in the next few days.
Graham Potter is ready to take charge of West Ham United following Julen Lopetegui’s departure.
“They will then talk to Potter about what new signings he wants to bring in. “Virtually every club in the Premier League has a sporting director and a technical director.
“One is to deal with the management situation, it could be the sporting director responsible for football policy.
“I know West Ham are quite active after spending £100m in the summer. They are looking at what is out there and are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. They are not putting the transfer business on hold, but it could be delayed.”
Carragher ‘expected Lopetegui’s sacking weeks ago’
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football:
“They played pretty well offensively (against Manchester City) but West Ham let down time and time again defensively.
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Jamie Carragher says Graham Potter’s move to West Ham would be a good option for both sides as pressure continues to mount on current Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui.
“Every time you lose, you lose badly. It’s a mess at the back. There’s no doubt the manager’s position is at stake, but if you think about the scoreline at the weekend, it’s the sixth in the Premier League this season. In the Carabao Cup, it’s 1-5 to Liverpool. lost
“When a team loses badly, I always think there’s something wrong in the locker room. That’s the way they lose. I’ve been expecting this for three or four weeks.”
West Ham’s next five games
January 10: Aston Villa (a), FA Cup, 8pm kick-off
January 14th: Fulham (h), Premier League, kickoff 7:30 p.m.
January 18: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League, 3pm kick-off
January 26th: Aston Villa(a), Premier League, live sky sportsKickoff at 4:30 PM
February 3: chelsea (a), premier league, live sky sportsKickoff at 8pm
