West Ham United has parted ways with Julen Lopetegui after less than a year as head coach, as the club finds itself in a precarious position in the Premier League, potentially facing relegation.
The club announced that they are in the process of identifying a new manager, with Graham Potter, a former Chelsea coach, being the frontrunner for the position.
Lopetegui’s departure follows an unsatisfactory run of form, which saw the team secure only three victories out of their last eleven matches. As a result, West Ham is currently 14th in the league table, just seven points above the relegation zone.
In an official statement, West Ham confirmed Lopetegui’s exit, explaining that the first half of the 2024-25 season did not meet the club’s expectations and that decisive steps had to be taken to align with their long-term goals.
Taking over from David Moyes in May, Lopetegui was anticipated to elevate the club’s performance. However, heavy defeats against key rivals such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City heightened concerns about his future at the helm.
The speculation around Lopetegui’s job intensified when West Ham canceled a planned press conference on Wednesday, where he was set to discuss the upcoming FA Cup match against Aston Villa.
Moyes had left the club at the conclusion of his contract after finishing ninth in the previous season, during which he also secured the Europa Conference League title, ending a 43-year trophy drought for West Ham.
Lopetegui, who previously managed Wolverhampton in the Premier League, had high expectations upon his appointment. However, a total of 10 losses in 22 competitive matches ultimately led to his dismissal.
The team’s latest setback came last week, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, after having faced a 5-0 loss to Liverpool just prior.
Graham Potter, who was let go by Chelsea earlier in 2023 after a brief stint, is now being considered for the managerial role. Before his time at Chelsea, he enjoyed a successful period with Brighton in the Premier League.
