Thu | Jan 9, 2025

West Ham fire Lopetegui

Published:Thursday | January 9, 2025 | 12:11 AM
West Ham’s manager Julen Lopetegui looks on before the start of the English Premier League football match against Liverpool at the London Stadium in London, on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
AP
West Ham’s manager Julen Lopetegui looks on before the start of the English Premier League football match against Liverpool at the London Stadium in London, on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

AP:

JULEN LOPETEGUI was fired by West Ham yesterday after less than a year in the job and with the Premier League club in danger of being dragged into a relegation fight.

West Ham said the process to find a replacement was under way, with former Chelsea coach Graham Potter reportedly in talks to take over.

Lopetegui paid the price for a run of just three wins in his last 11 games, with West Ham 14th in the standings and seven points above the drop zone.

“West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club,” West Ham said in a statement posted on its official website. “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.”

The former Spain and Real Madrid coach replaced David Moyes in May and was expected to drive the club to new heights. But that has not materialised, and recent heavy losses to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City sparked increased speculation about Lopetegui’s position.

Uncertainty grew in recent days, and when West Ham cancelled a scheduled news conference with Lopetegui yesterday to preview the upcoming FA Cup third-round match against Aston Villa, confirmation of his departure was widely anticipated.

Moyes left at the end of his contract last season, having led West Ham to ninth in the standings. The previous season he ended the club’s 43-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa Conference League.

The appointment of Lopetegui, who had previously managed Wolverhampton in England’s top flight, brought with it expectation that he could bring more success to West Ham. But 10 defeats in 22 games in all competitions brought an end to his reign before he could even complete a full season in charge.

Most recently, West Ham lost 4-1 against City, having previously been routed 5-0 by Liverpool.

Potter has been out of work since he was fired by Chelsea in 2023 after just seven months in the job.

He previously managed Brighton in the Premier League.