West Ham are preparing to sack manager Julen Lopetegui and announce Graham Potter as manager after agreeing a two-and-a-half year contract. Technical director Tim Steiten may also leave as part of the shakeup.
Final details with Mr. Potter were finalized on Wednesday, with Vice Chairman Karen Brady, not Mr. Steiten, heavily involved in the negotiations. Steiten has been under pressure over his transfer record and has been away from the training ground since his relationship with Lopetegui soured.
West Ham announced Lopetegui’s departure in a statement, saying: “The first half of the 2024-25 season is not in line with the club’s ambitions and the club has taken action in line with its objectives.”
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A lunchtime press conference with Lopetegui was canceled on Wednesday morning and Potter will train on Thursday and be in the dugout for Friday’s FA Cup game at Aston Villa.
The West Ham side had wanted Potter to remain in charge until the end of the season, while the process stalled on Tuesday as the former Brighton and Chelsea manager sought a long-term deal.
West Ham then agreed to Potter’s request for a contract until 2027, paving the way for him to return as manager in April 2023 for the first time since leaving Chelsea seven months later.
Tim Steiten has been kept away from the training ground under pressure over his transfer record Photo: Mike Egerton/PA
Lopetegui was said to have returned to work as usual on Wednesday, awaiting confirmation of his resignation. He attended training on Tuesday knowing West Ham had decided to sack him, but canceled a team meal scheduled for Tuesday night.
The Spaniard has been in charge of 20 league games and two Carabao Cup games since taking over from manager David Moyes. He came close to losing his job last month – West Ham were in talks with Potter at the time – but a four-game unbeaten run that included wins against Wolves and Southampton helped him win a short-lived campaign. was granted a reprieve.
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Two heavy defeats at home to Liverpool 5-0 and Manchester City 4-1 sealed his fate. West Ham, who sit seven points above the relegation zone, have home league games against Fulham and Crystal Palace next week.
West Ham announced that five of Lopetegui’s backroom staff have also left the company. “The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success in the future,” the club said.
