Last training in the morning
©IMAGO
What had already been suggested in the past few days is now a done deal: West Ham United have released coach Julen Lopetegui. He led the London training session on Wednesday morning and his term ended in the afternoon. There should already be a successor for the 58-year-old Spaniard; according to English media reports, Graham Potter will be his successor.
Last July, Lopetegui took over the position from David Moyes, who had been on the sidelines for the Hammers since 2017, including a break of one and a half years. The former Spanish national coach only won six of his 20 games in the Premier League and is in 14th place (table) after a 1:4 defeat at Manchester City. The cushion over the relegation places is seven points. In the League Cup they failed in the second round against Liverpool FC.
Potter favorite to succeed Lopetegui – What happens to Füllkrug?
The favorite to succeed Lopetegui is Potter, who has been without a job since leaving Chelsea in April 2023. The 49-year-old Englishman took over the Blues in September 2022 after spending three seasons at Brighton & Hove Albion. In his final season he led the Seagulls to ninth place and has since enjoyed a good reputation in England. In the summer he reportedly had offers from Ajax Amsterdam and Leicester City, which he rejected. He was also considered Gareth Southgate’s successor in the English national team. How “The Athletic“ reports, a contract has been agreed until 2027.
There was a lot of movement in the West Ham squad in the summer – ten professionals were signed and 13 left the club. A total of 144 million euros were invested in the squad; only five teams in England paid more. Borussia Dortmund received 27 million euros for the services of Niclas Füllkrug. “He immediately gave me the impression that he really wanted me and that I was needed,” said the attacker after his BVB farewell. What happens next for Füllkrug, who scored his second goal in the Premier League against Man City, remains to be seen under the new coach. He has recently been linked to Juventus.
Tim Steidten, who has held the position of technical director at the Hammers since July 2023, could also, according to information from “Guardians“go as part of a restructuring. The 45-year-old has since been at the forefront of the club’s transfers, which have since spent €289m on new players.