West Ham hold Lopetegui meeting amid Moyes exit talk - sources

Posted Saturday, May 04, 2024 by ESPN

West Ham have held talks with Julen Lopetegui as they narrow down their managerial search with David Moyes expected to leave the club this summer, sources have told ESPN.

No final decision has been taken on Moyes' future with negotiations set to take place once West Ham's campaign has concluded later this month, but sources say the club have already sounded out several possible successors.

Last month, Rúben Amorim confirmed he had flown to London to discuss the possibility of succeeding Moyes at London Stadium and ESPN has been told that Lopetegui has also held talks with senior figures at the club, who were impressed with the 57-year-old's body of work which includes spells managing Porto, Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolves.

Sources added that although Lopetegui is now considered the favourite to replace Moyes, Amorim has not yet been entirely dismissed from consideration.

Julen Lopetegui's last job in the Premier League came at Wolves.

The situation with Moyes could come to a head sooner than planned as tensions grow within the club. Those tensions led to technical director Tim Steidten being asked to stay away from the Scotsman and first-team squad while interviews take place.

Speaking about that decision on Friday, Moyes said: "We don't want any distractions. We're keeping our eye on the ball.

"Tim's got his job to do, I've got my job to do. We've got three games to play. We want to keep focusing on those games we've been talking about."

West Ham are ninth in the Premier League and face Chelsea away, Luton Town at home and Manchester City away in their final three matches.

Moyes, who returned to West Ham for a second spell in charge in December 2019, delivered the club's first trophy in 43 years by winning the Europa Conference League last season.