West Ham have parted ways with manager Julen Lopetegui after just six months in charge. The former Wolves and Spain boss, who officially began his tenure on July 1, oversaw a disappointing spell in which the Hammers won only six of their 20 Premier League games.
Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City marked the ninth league loss under Lopetegui, leaving the club 14th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.
A club statement read: “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 have also dismissed Lopetegui’s backroom staff, including assistant Pablo Sanz and other key members of his coaching team.
Graham Potter is the frontrunner to replace Lopetegui, with West Ham reportedly holding positive talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton manager. Discussions have also taken place with former AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca and ex-PSG manager Christophe Galtier, but Potter is expected to take the job, possibly on a short-term deal.
Lopetegui’s tenure saw mixed results, including an unbeaten four-game run featuring wins over Wolves and Southampton, but it was marred by heavy defeats to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Leicester City. Despite spending around £125 million to bolster the squad during the summer, Lopetegui failed to deliver the desired outcomes.
West Ham now turn their focus to Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Aston Villa as the club works to finalize a new managerial appointment. Potter, if confirmed, will aim to rebuild a side that enjoyed notable success under David Moyes, including a Europa Conference League triumph and a ninth-place Premier League finish in 2023.
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