West Ham have agreed a deal in principle with Julen Lopetegui to take over from David Moyes as manager.
Lopetegui has been out of work since leaving Wolves three days before the start of the 2023/24 season but has continued to live in England in a bid to return to Premier League management.
The 57-year-old, who has also managed Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla throughout an illustrious coaching career, looks set to take charge at the London Stadium at the end of the season after Moyes’ expected departure.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea’s win against West Ham in the Premier League.
Moyes is out of contact in the summer and has faced increased questions about his future as West Ham have only won one of their previous nine Premier League games and were thrashed 5-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
After the game, Moyes was asked whether he had any frustration about the club’s links with other managers, he said: “I’ll talk to the board at the end of the season. We’ll do that then.”
He added: “I’m the manager, I take ownership, but some of the players have to do that too. I feel bad for the fans, I don’t normally have teams who come and get beaten like this.
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Clinton Morrison and Jamie O’Hara don’t hold back with their criticism as they lay in to West Ham for their first half performance at Chelsea.
“But we’re lacking some of the ingredients – mental toughness, leadership to not get hammered like we have been several times. I can only say I’m really sorry for the way the game went.”
West Ham are ninth in the Premier League and reached the Europa League quarter-finals this season.
Last season Moyes guided the club to their first European trophy since 1965 when they beat Fiorentina to lift the Europa Conference League.
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Sky Sports’ Danyal Khan and Ron Walker discuss the big talking points after Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
‘I’m just starting here’ – Lopetegui on Premier League
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In an interview with Sky Sports in December, former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui revealed he is targeting a return to the Premier League
Speaking to Sky Sports News reporter Danyal Khan in December, Lopetegui explained why he feels he has unfinished business in the Premier League and revealed he has met the PFA, LMA and PGMOL during his time off in a bid to prepare himself for a return to England’s top division.
“It’s why I’ve said no to different countries and different situations because I would like to stay here in England. I feel like our team here is just starting and we want to achieve our dreams.” Lopetegui said at the time.
“The way the country lives football here is special – it’s the best league in the world, the most competitive league in the world, the best environment for the players, coaches and fans too.”
