West Ham United Agrees Terms with Julen Lopetegui to Become New Manager

West Ham United has reportedly reached a consensus with Julen Lopetegui to take over as manager, succeeding David Moyes. Though no official contract has been signed as yet, it appears Lopetegui has become the premier choice for the club's next managing role, and the potential deal to secure him is nearing completion.

The club's technical director, Tim Steidten, was responsible for leading the managerial recruitment process and held discussions with several possible candidates. Lopetegui has declined offers of management from various clubs in the Premier League, La Liga, and the Saudi Pro League following his departure from Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead of the 2023-24 season. Despite recent inquiries from Bayern Munich, the experienced manager seems focused on joining West Ham.
West Ham's board has received strong recommendations from Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Lopetegui guided the team to 10 wins in his 27 matches as manager, helping them finish the season in 13th place and clear of the relegation zone. The West Ham hierarchy is also fond of his record with the Spanish national team, with whom he remained unbeaten in 20 games. However Lopetegui was dismissed by the Spanish FA on the cusp of the 2018 World Cup after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal for him to manage their 2018-19 season.

His tenure at Real Madrid lasted only 14 games, with an even record of six wins and six losses, before joining Sevilla in 2019. During his time at Sevilla, he secured the Europa League title in 2020 and guided the team to three consecutive top-four finishes in La Liga. Recently, Lopetegui was considered by Milan as a potential replacement for Stefano Pioli before supporters pushed back against the move.

Moyes, 60, who began his second term as West Ham manager in December 2019, led the Hammers to victory in the Europa League Conference in 2023, with a triumphant final against Fiorentina. However, despite his European triumphs, West Ham ended the 2022-23 Premier League season in 14th place. Moyes has seen his side lose 13 league matches this season, the most recent being a 5-0 defeat to Chelsea.
This will mark the second time that Moyes has left his role at West Ham, following a six-month term during the 2017-18 season before reassuming the job in late 2019.