Lopetegui Fired by West Ham
Julen Lopetegui is no longer the head coach of West Ham. He lasted just eight months and leaves the team in 14th place. He was at practice on Tuesday and reported for work on Wednesday. But, he found out he was sacked shortly after. West Ham will likely announce Graham Potter, who used to manage Brighton and Chelsea, as the new boss soon.
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Potter Close to Signing
Talks with Graham Potter moved quickly on Tuesday night. They still need to iron out a few contract details. Potter hasn’t managed since Chelsea let him go in 2022. It sounds like he will take over and hopefully bring some stability to the team.
Why Lopetegui Was Let Go
West Ham’s start to the 2024/25 season has not been good. They expected more from Lopetegui after spending £130 million in the summer. They brought in players like striker Niclas Fullkrug and captain Max Kilman from Wolves. But the team has been struggling, sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Lopetegui’s job was in danger after a 3-1 loss to Leicester in December. A brief unbeaten streak gave him some hope. But after losing heavily to Liverpool (5-0) and Manchester City (4-1) over Christmas, the board decided it was time for a change.
Coaching Staff Changes
Along with Lopetegui, several of his staff members were also let go. This includes assistant coach Pablo Sanz and performance head Oscar Caro, among others. West Ham thanked Lopetegui and his team for their hard work and wished them the best.
The club is now searching for a new coach, and Potter seems to be the favorite.
Tough Times Ahead for West Ham
West Ham has a tough schedule coming up. They play Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday, followed by league matches against Fulham and Crystal Palace. They’re also looking at the January transfer window to strengthen the squad, especially with injuries to Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio. They need fresh players to help in the second half of the season.
Potter’s Comeback
Graham Potter is ready to get back into coaching after a 20-month break. He was let go from Chelsea just seven months into a five-year deal. Before that, he had success at Brighton, where he built an attacking style of play. West Ham hopes he can do the same for them soon.
The spotlight is on Potter now. Fans are eager to see if he can turn things around and help West Ham reach its goals.
