West Ham United have reportedly renewed their interest in former Chelsea boss Graham Potter as they move closer to sacking Julen Lopetegui.
Pressure has been mounting on the Spaniard after a string of heavy defeats have left the Hammers in 14th place in the Premier League table, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester City it was the fifth time four or more goals have been shipped by Lopetegui in all competitions, and it came just six days after a humiliating Defeat at home by 5-0 in Liverpool.
Unease among supporters at the London Stadium has been evident for several weeks, with performance levels well below expectations from a team that spent more than £150m in the summer. transfer window to artists such as Max Kilman, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Multiple sources reported earlier on Monday that West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has been asked to stay away from the training ground as tensions rise behind the scenes, with the couple “not on good terms”.
Subsequent reports, including from the guardianhave revealed that West Ham’s board have met to discuss the long-term future of Lopetegui, who has already been suspended after a poor performance away to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur resulted in a heavy defeat by 4-1.
talkSPORT going so far as to say that the decision to part ways with Lopetegui has already been made, claiming that Potter is in talks to take over the top job in east London. Edin Terzic and Max Allegri, previously at Borussia Dortmund and Juventus respectively, have been promoted but are unlikely to take over.
Potter, 49, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023. He was given just eight months in charge of the Blues after being appointed on a five-year contract, a reward for the progress he had overseen in Brighton last year. the previous three years.
A number of clubs have been linked with Potter since then, both at home and abroad, but until now he has remained on the sidelines waiting for the right opportunity.
West Ham He only appointed Lopetegui in the summer after previous manager David Moyes mutually agreed to part ways with the club after his contract expired. The Scot did an excellent job during his second spell at the club, securing silverware for the first time in 43 successful years at the club. League of Conferences.
The Hammers also finished in the top seven in consecutive seasons, reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League 12 months earlier they lifted the Conference League after going unbeaten throughout the competition.
