West Ham sack Lopetegui

West Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui.

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.

More to follow…

Carragher ‘expected Lopetegui sack weeks ago’

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher speaking on Monday Night Football:

“They played quite well in an attacking sense [against Manchester City] but West Ham have let themselves down time and time again defensively.

“Whenever they get beat, they get beat badly. They’re a mess at the back. There’s no doubt the manager’s position has been precarious but when you think of that scoreline at the weekend, that’s the sixth time this season in the Premier League that they’ve lost a game by three goals or more. In the Carabao Cup, they lost 5-1 to Liverpool.

“When teams get beaten badly, I always think there’s something wrong in the dressing room. It’s how you lose. I was expecting this three or four weeks ago.”

West Ham’s next five games

January 10: Aston Villa (a), FA Cup, kick-off 8pm

January 14: Fulham (h), Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm

January 18: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League, kick-off 3pm

January 26: Aston Villa (a), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm

February 3: Chelsea (a), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm