“West Ham” dismissed the head coach Julen Lopetegui.
The club’s statement reads: “The first half of the 2024/25 season does not match the club’s ambitions and therefore the club has taken steps in line with its objectives.”
“West Ham” added: “The process of appointing a replacement continues.”
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 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 spend of more than £130m, Lopetegui has won just six of his 20 Premier League matches and the Hammers are currently 14th in the table.
Lopetegui was close to being sacked in December when After the defeat at Leicester, the club’s board split 60-40 on whether to ax him..
He oversaw a 2-1 win over Wolves in his next game but managed just one win in the next five matches and West Ham now ended his tenure with a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City in their last game.
West Ham’s statement in full
After confirming the fact of Lopetegui’s departure, the club’s official statement reads: “West Ham United can confirm that manager Julen Lopetegui has left the club today.
“The first half of the 2024/25 season did not live up to the club’s ambitions and therefore the club has taken steps in line with its objectives.
“The club can confirm that assistant coach Pablo Sanz, head of performance Oscar Caro, chief 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 with the Hammers and wish them every success in the future.
“The process of appointing a replacement is ongoing. The club will not comment further at this time.”
Potter was ready to take over
Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett.
“Graham Potter will take over shortly. He is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract as West Ham’s new manager.
West Ham are in talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss and he could take charge of their next Premier League game against Aston Villa.
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Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett explains why Graham Potter is a man in demand at the moment, with both West Ham and Everton reportedly keen on his services should they decide to change managers.
Lopetegui’s exit could delay transfer business
Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett.
“I expect him (Potter) to be appointed within the next few days.
Graham Potter set to take charge of West Ham following Julen Lopetegui’s departure
“Then they will talk to Potter about what new signings he would like. Virtually every Premier League club has a sporting director and a technical director.
“One deals with the managerial situation, it could be the sporting director who is responsible for the football policy.
“I understand that West Ham are quite active even after spending £100m in the summer, they are looking at what’s out there and are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. That doesn’t stop their transfer business, but it could be delayed. “
Carragher “expected Lopetegui’s dismissal weeks ago”.
Sky Sports journalist Jamie Carragher speaking on Monday Night Football.
“They played quite well offensively (against Manchester City) but West Ham let themselves go defensively at times.
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Jamie Carragher says Graham Potter to West Ham would be a good move for both sides as pressure continues to mount on current Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui.
“Every time they’re beaten, they’re a mess at the back. There’s no doubt the manager’s position has been shaky, but when you think about those scores at the weekend, it’s the sixth time in the Premier League that they have lost a game by three or more goals in a 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
“When teams lose badly, I always think there’s something wrong in the locker room. That’s how you lose. I expected that three or four weeks ago.”
West Ham’s next five games
January 10 Aston Villa (a), FA Cup, kick-off: 20:00
January 14Fulham (h), Premier League, kick-off: 19:30
January 18 Crystal Palace (h), Premier League, kick-off: 15:00
January 26Aston Villa (a), Premier League, live Sky Sportsstart: 16.30
February 3 Chelsea (a), Premier League, live Sky Sportsstart at 20:00
