Graham Potter to replace him?
©IMAGO
Reports flooded in early Monday morning that West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten was staying away from the training ground after a further breakdown in his relationship with manager Julen Lopetegui, whose position as boss was becoming more and more untenable after heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City. And this afternoon West Ham confirmed the news, that after just seven months in charge, they had sacked the Spaniard. Lopetegui leaves with the Hammers 14th in the Premier League table, seven points above the bottom three. They face key home games against Fulham and Crystal Palace next week.
In a club statement, West Ham said: “West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the Club. 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 Club can confirm that Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba and Technical Coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect. 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 for the future. The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The Club will be making no further comment at this time.”
As illustrated in the graphic above, Lopetegui endured the worst points per game record of any of the past five permanent West Ham managers. In fact, his record was even worse than Avram Grant’s (1.21ppg) who took the club down back in 2011. Lopetegui’s team have won just six of their 20 Premier League matches and have shipped 39 goals in the process. In terms of Lopetegui’s replacement, reports have suggested that West Ham are monitoring former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, who could be considered on a short-term deal. One of their previous targets, Sérgio Conceição, has recently joined AC Milan, while the former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic is thought to be cool on the idea of replacing Lopetegui. Concerns over Max Allegri’s English make a move for the former Juventus manager unlikely.
