West Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui.
A membership assertion learn: “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.”
Graham Potter is poised to exchange the 58-year-old after West Ham held additional constructive talks with the previous Chelsea and Brighton boss on Tuesday.
Lopetegui took over on the London Stadium in Could, changing David Moyes after his contract got here to an finish on the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
Regardless of overseeing a summer time switch spend in extra of £130m, Lopetegui gained simply six of his 20 Premier League matches in cost and the Hammers are at present 14th within the desk.
Lopetegui was near the sack in December when the membership’s board had been break up 60-40 over whether or not to axe him following a 3-1 defeat to Leicester.
He oversaw a 2-1 victory over Wolves in his subsequent sport however gained simply as soon as within the following 5 matches and West Ham have now ended his tenure, along with his final sport a 4-1 defeat at Manchester Metropolis.
West Ham’s assertion in full
After confirming Lopetegui’s departure, an official assertion from the membership learn: “West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club.
“The primary half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the membership’s ambitions and the membership has due to this fact taken motion consistent with its targets.
“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 want to thank Julen and his workers for his or her laborious work throughout their time with the Hammers and need them each success for the longer term.
“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 activities Information’ 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 may very well be in cost for the subsequent FA Cup sport in opposition to Aston Villa.”
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Sky Sports activities senior reporter Rob Dorsett explains why Graham Potter is a person in demand in the intervening time, with each West Ham and Everton reportedly eager on his companies – ought to they determine to vary supervisor.
Lopetegui sacking might delay switch enterprise
Sky Sports activities Information’ 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 coping with the managerial state of affairs, it might be the sporting director in command of the footballing coverage.
“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 ‘anticipated Lopetegui sack weeks in the past’
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher talking on Monday Evening Soccer:
“They performed fairly properly in an attacking sense [against Manchester City] however West Ham have let themselves down time and time once more defensively.
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Jamie Carragher says Graham Potter to West Ham could be a great transfer for each events, as strain continues to mount on present 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 groups get overwhelmed badly, I at all times suppose there’s one thing fallacious within the dressing room. It is the way you lose. I used to be anticipating this three or 4 weeks in the past.”
West Ham’s subsequent 5 video 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, stay on Sky Sports activities, kick-off 4.30pm
February 3: Chelsea (a), Premier League, stay on Sky Sports activities, kick-off 8pm
