Julen Lopetegui finally SACKED by shambolic West Ham despite taking training with Graham Potter set to replace him

WEST HAM have finally SACKED manager Julen Lopetegui after just seven months in charge.

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is set to replace the Spaniard at the London Stadium.

West Ham confirmed the news in a statement that read: “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.”

Potter’s first game in charge is set to be against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Lopetegui’s time at the helm comes to an end following a shambolic week that saw him continue to take training today while his successor pens his contract.

The ex-Real Madrid and Spain boss, who replaced David Moyes in the summer, managed just six wins in 20 Premier League matches and leaves the club 14th in the table.

Defending has been a problem for West Ham, with only Wolves (45), Leicester and Southampton (both on 44) conceding more than their 39 in the league this season.

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Nine of those goals against have come in the last two games to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Defeat in Lopetegui’s final game at the Etihad marked the ninth time this season they had conceded three or more goals.

Things are also believed to have turned sour behind-the-scenes, with rumoured fall outs with key players and technical director Tim Steidten.

Steidten, who also had a mixed relationship with Moyes, stepped away from the training ground after sounding out alternatives managers last month.

Their already tense relationship had deteriorated and other club chiefs have been frustrated at both figures.

There was supposedly a split in the boardroom over whether to axe Lopetegui earlier in the season.

Steidten also now faces an uncertain future and his influence on the January transfer window has been diluted as owner David Sullivan takes a leading role.

The Hammers spent £127.5million in the summer window but sit just seven points above the relegation zone.

This time last year after 20 games West Ham were sixth in the league on 34 points.

Potter joins West Ham, having been out of work since he left Chelsea in April 2023, following a successful three years at Brighton.

He is looking to initially bring up to four of his own coaching staff with him, while long-term goalkeeping coach, Xavi Valero, has stayed.

Lopetegui’s West Ham nightmare

Lopetegui, 58, was close to the sack before the game at Newcastle on November 25. But an impressive 2-0 victory bought him more time.

Yet West Ham failed to push on, winning only TWO games since then – against relegation prospects Wolves and Southampton.

Fans have turned on Lopetegui, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at their own boss during the 3-1 defeat to Leicester.

His reign ended with him taking training today after axing a team bonding dinner last night.

Lopetegui is furious with how his exit has week has played out.

Away from on the pitch challenges, he has not had a trouble-free time off it.

West Ham have had to battle through Michail Antonio’s horrific car crash that has ruled him out out for the foreseeable.

Hammers youth goalkeeper Oscar Fairs also died aged 15 following a battle with cancer.

Lopetegui’s father Jose also sadly passed away at the age of 94 last month after suffering from health problems.

As well as falling out with Steidten, there were also reportedly half-time bust-ups with Jean-Clair Todibo and Mohammed Kudus.

West Ham appointed Lopetegui due to his success at Sevilla, where he won the Europa League and got them regularly competing towards the top of LaLiga.

He also had Premier League experience at Wolves in the 2022/23 season as he guided them to safety from relegation.

But he quit after a disagreement with the Molineux club’s owners due to a lack of transfer activity and “differences of opinion”.

Lopetegui replaced Moyes, who has legendary status in East London after ending their 43-year trophy drought with Europa Conference League glory.

He also guided them to a Europa League semi and quarter-final, as well as a sixth and seventh place finish in the Prem.

But he left when his contract was up last summer, with the club wanting to change the style of play.