West Ham have called off Wednesday’s pre-match press conference with Julen Lopetegui as club chiefs prepare to wield the axe.
The former Wolves boss is set to be sacked by the Hammers after less than eight months in charge. And it’s understood that Graham Potter is poised to replace him in the hotseat in the Englishman’s first role since being binned by Chelsea in April 2023.
Lopetegui conducted training as usual on Tuesday, but his tenure is expected to end after the club cancelled a press conference where the Spaniard was due to discuss Friday’s FA Cup third-round match at Aston Villa. The 58-year-old – who succeeded David Moyes last May – has won just seven of his 22 games in charge, drawing five and losing 10.
And that’s seen the London club tumble down the Premier League table, as they current languish in 14th – just seven points above the relegation zone. There had been an upturn in results in December, but heavy back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City appears to be the final straw for West Ham.
Meanwhile, Potter has been without a managerial role a year-and-a-half after being dismissed by Chelsea, just seven months into a five-year contract. He started his managerial career at Swedish club Ostersund, and successful stints with Swansea and Brighton led to Chelsea appointing him as Thomas Tuchel’s successor in September 2022.
However, the 49-year-old only managed to win 12 of his 31 matches in charge and was let go in April 2023. If the remaining negotiations are finalised, Potter is expected to be announced as the new Hammers boss on Thursday.