Julen Lopetegui sacked: West Ham sack head coach after eight months in charge | Football news
West Ham sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui.
A club statement read: “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 of appointing a replacement is ongoing.”
Graham Potter is set to replace the 58-year-old after West Ham held further positive talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss on Tuesday.
Lopetegui took over at the London Stadium in May, replacing David Moyes after his contract expired at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Despite overseeing a summer transfer that saw more than £130m spent, Lopetegui has won just six of his 20 Premier League games, with the Hammers currently 14th in the table.
Lopetegui was close to being fired in December when he The club’s board were split 60-40 over whether to waive him after the 3-1 defeat by Leicester.
He oversaw a 2-1 win over Wolves in his next game, but won just once in his next five games and West Ham now ended his tenure, with his last game a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
West Ham press release in full
Following the confirmation of Lopetegui’s departure, the club’s official statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has left the club today.
“The first half of the 2024/25 season was not in line with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken measures 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 in the future.
“The process of appointing a replacement is ongoing. The club will not make further comments at this time.”
Potter ready for download
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett:
“Graham Potter will soon take over. He is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract as West Ham’s new manager.
“West Ham have been in talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss and he could be in charge of the next Premier League game against Aston Villa.”
Carragher ‘expected Lopetegui to be fired a few weeks ago’
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:
“They played quite well offensively [against Manchester City] but West Ham let themselves down in defense time and time again.
“Whenever they’re beaten, they get nasty. They’re a mess at the back. There’s no doubt the manager’s position is precarious, but when you think about the result at the weekend, it’s the sixth time this season in the Premier League they’ve lost a game by three or more goals difference in the Carabao Cup, they lost 5-1 to Liverpool.
“When teams get beaten a lot, I always think there’s something wrong in the locker room. That’s how it gets lost. I expected this three or four weeks ago.”
West Ham’s next five games
January 10: Aston Villa (a), FA Cup, kick-off at 8 p.m
January 14: Fulham (h), Premier League, kick-off 7:30 p.m
January 18: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League, kick-off at 3 p.m
January 26: Aston Villa (a), Premier League, live Sky Sportsstart at 4:30 p.m
February 3: Chelsea (a), Premier League, live Sky Sportsstart at 8 p.m
