West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui and five staff members after just seven months at club

Julen Lopetegui has been sacked by West Ham after seven months in the job (Image: Getty)

West Ham United have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui after seven months in charge, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter listed as the leading candidate to take over.

The Spaniard had been preparing for the team for their FA Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa on January 10. But the board have decided to act, bringing an end to the 58-year-old's tenure.

Lopetegui was relieved of his duties by David Sullivan after holding crunch talks with the West Ham owner in a meeting on Monday.

It comes after the Hammers were left languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table following their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

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A club statement reads: "West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club.

"The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.

"The club can confirm that assistant head coach Pablo Sanz, head of performance Oscar Caro, head analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, fitness coach Borja De Alba and technical coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect.

"The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future.

"The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The club will be making no further comment at this time."

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is in the frame to replace Lopetegui (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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It is claimed that Sullivan has already spoken to three managerial candidates, with widespread reports suggesting that Potter, 48, is the favourite to take the vacancy.

The Englishman has been out of work since he was brutally sacked by Chelsea just seven months into a five-year contract. Potter has been biding his time for the right role to come along, spurning the chance to take jobs at other Premier League clubs.

But it appears that he will end his 22-month absence from the dugout to replace Lopetegui after holding positive talks with West Ham supremo Sullivan.

According to talkSPORT, Potter is 'expected' to be named as the direct replacement for Lopetegui, although it remains to be seen whether he will officially take charge of their game at Villa Park in four days' time.

West Ham owner David Sullivan has decided to sack Julen Lopetegui (Image: Getty)

Lopetegui was hired in May 2024 as David Moyes' successor after the Scot left at the end of his contract after a second stint in charge that lasted four years.

The former Wolves coach, who has previously worked with Spain, Benfica and Real Madrid, signed a two-year deal with the option of a third included.

However, he struggled to implement his style of football on the team and results have been poor of late, with boos often emanating from around the London Stadium this season.

He also oversaw heavy home defeats such as the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool and a 5-2 rout by Arsenal in front of their own fans.

His reign turned sour after he reportedly fell out with director Tim Steidten over their recruitement strategy. The German has taken a leading role in West Ham's transfer business since his arrival, but some of their business has failed to produce the desired results.

The east London outfit splashed out on expensive signings such as Max Kilman, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville, Luis Guilherme and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Yet despite the significant outlay, there has been little to no discernible improvement in West Ham's league standing and they face a mammoth task to haul themselves back into contention for continental qualification.

Steidten has reportedly opted to stay away from their Rush Green training ground amid the tension between himself and Lopetegui.