West Ham United have agreed terms with Julen Lopetegui to succeed David Moyes as manager at the end of the season.
The Hammers have confirmed that David Moyes will depart the club when his contract expires in June. After speculation about the Scots’ future, the club issued a statement on Monday stating his looming departure after four-and-a-half-years in charge.
Moyes, 65, came under immense pressure after a poor run of results that has seen West Ham win just one out of their past nine Premier League games and exit the Europa League in the quarter-finals at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen. Their 5-0 away defeat to London rivals Chelsea on Sunday proved to be the final nail in the 65-year-old’s reign at the London Stadium.
Former FC Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is reportedly close to becoming West Ham’s next manager. A deal is yet to be signed, but the Spaniard is widely believed to be the club’s chosen managerial replacement.
Julen Lopetegui set to return to management with West Ham
Julen Lopetegui, 57, has been linked with numerous jobs in the Premier League, La Liga and the Saudi Pro League since his departure from Wolves three days before the start of the 2023/24 campaign. He is understood to be keen on returning to the Premier League after guiding Wolves to safety last term, having joined the club when they were reeling at the bottom of the table. He led them to 10 victories in his 27 games at the helm of the Midlands club—eight points and five places above the drop zone.
The Wanderers finished 13th under the Spaniard’s management but he had become frustrated by the club’s dire financial situation before resigning. Lopetegui, who helped Sevilla win the Europa League in 2020, is understood to take over as West Ham’s head coach next season, as opposed to the role Moyes holds currently. He would work closely under technical director Tim Steidten, who will have more power and control over recruitment.
Having announced that Moyes will leave the club at the end of the season, it now remains to be seen when the Hammers officially confirm the appointment of Lopetegui as their new head coach.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
