West Ham United has sacked manager Julen Lopetegui and is set to announce Graham Potter as his successor after agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract. Final details with Potter were being finalized on Wednesday, with vice-chair Karren Brady heavily involved in negotiations.
In its announcement regarding Lopetegui’s departure, West Ham stated, “The first half of the 2024-25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions, prompting action in line with its objectives.”
A press conference planned for Lopetegui was canceled on Wednesday morning, while Potter is expected to take over training on Thursday and manage the team during Friday’s FA Cup match against Aston Villa.
Discussions about Potter’s appointment stalled on Tuesday, as West Ham wanted him to commit only until the end of the season, while Potter sought a longer-term deal. Eventually, the club agreed to Potter’s request for a contract extending to 2027, facilitating his return to coaching after a brief hiatus following his departure from Chelsea in April 2023.
On the day of his dismissal, Lopetegui reportedly attended work as usual, having led Tuesday’s training while being aware of the club’s decision. He also canceled a planned team dinner that evening. Having taken charge of 20 league games and two Carabao Cup matches since replacing David Moyes, Lopetegui faced potential termination last month, but a brief unbeaten run—including victories against Wolves and Southampton—provided him temporary relief.
However, two heavy defeats—5-0 at home to Liverpool and 4-1 at Manchester City—ultimately sealed his fate. Currently, West Ham is positioned seven points clear of the relegation zone and has home fixtures against Fulham and Crystal Palace in the coming week.
West Ham confirmed that five members of Lopetegui’s coaching staff also left the club, expressing gratitude for their contributions and wishing them success in the future.
Credit: Irish Times
