West Ham fires head coach Julen Lopetegui
By Sky News, January 8, 2025
West Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui.
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 added: “The process of appointing a replacement is underway.”
Graham Potter is poised to replace the 58-year-old after West Ham held further positive talks with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss on Tuesday.
Lopetegui took over at the London Stadium in May, replacing David Moyes after his contract came to an end at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
Despite overseeing a summer transfer spend in excess of £130m, Lopetegui won just six of his 20 Premier League matches in charge and the Hammers are currently 14th in the table.
Lopetegui was close to the sack in December when the club’s board were split 60-40 over whether to axe him following a 3-1 defeat to Leicester.
He oversaw a 2-1 victory over Wolves in his next game but won just once in the following five matches and West Ham have now ended his tenure, with his last game a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
West Ham’s statement in full
After confirming Lopetegui’s departure, an official statement from the club read: “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.”
West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the Club.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 8, 2025