West Ham cancel Julen Lopetegui press conference as Graham Potter poised for job
Graham Potter is close to being appointed West Ham boss. West Ham cancelled their scheduled press conference with Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday morning, as they prepare to confirm the Spaniard’s departure. Lopetegui will be axed by West Ham after eight months in chargeGetty Potter is set to replace him and could be in charge for their next match on Friday nightGetty Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Potter is very close to signing a deal that will see him succeed Lopetegui in the Hammers hotseat. A breakthrough in negotiations means Potter is expected to join imminently on an initial six-month deal that could rise to two-and-a-half years assuming he hits certain targets. And his first task could be a tough one as West Ham take on Aston Villa Park in an FA Cup third round tie on Friday night, live on talkSPORT. talkSPORT revealed on Monday that West Ham had taken the decision to ditch Lopetegui and begun negotiations with Potter.Despite this, Lopetegui has not been informed officially and took training on Tuesday and was due to do the same on Wednesday morning. But West Ham called off a planned press conference on Wednesday at which he was set to preview Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Aston Villa as they prepare to make an official announcement. Lopetegui only arrived in the summer as the successor to David Moyes, but is making a swift exit with the club 14th in the Premier League. He has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks amid their poor form, with just six wins coming from 20 league games. Now he has paid the price for back-to-back heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City over the Christmas period. Potter is poised to replace him after positive talks and make his long-awaited return to management, having been out of work since he left Stamford Bridge in April 2023 following a successful stint at Brighton. Potter has been out of work for 21 monthsGetty Steidten has played a key part in bringing Potter in but his future at West Ham is also unclearGetty Sporting director Tim Steidten also faces an uncertain future at West Ham. That comes as it emerged Steidten is staying away from the training ground after a breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui. West Ham spent around £130million on nine new players in the close season, but have lost nine of their 20 top-flight games this season. Speaking to talkSPORT about Lopetegui as it was revealed he is facing the sack, West Ham legend Tony Cottee said of club chiefs: “They should hang their heads in shame. “Tim Steidten, the board, it’s a pathetic appointment in the first place and I can’t believe what they do at times. West Ham is my club but it was just so the wrong appointment. “Yes you can blame Lopetegui… But Tim Steidten is the director of football, David Sullivan is in charge of the club. They’ve got to take responsibility, they can’t keep making these stupid mistakes. “If you get rid of one of West Ham’s most successful managers in terms of trophies then you’ve got to make the right appointment.” Lopetegui struggled for wins during his West Ham tenure An unbeaten run of four matches, which included two wins, over the festive period had sparked a sense of an upturn in form. But the Hammers have tasted back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, with a 4-1 reverse at City following a 5-0 mauling by Liverpool at home. Although West Ham remain seven points above the relegation zone, the club’s hierarchy took the decision on Monday to make a change. A push for European qualification during the second half of the season appears to be an unlikely prospect as of now. It would spark a second consecutive campaign without continental football just two years after they won the UEFA Conference League. West Ham’s chances of success ahead of the summer have been dealt a huge blow too amid Jarrod Bowen’s recent injury. The club captain was substituted in their home defeat to Liverpool and has suffered a fractured foot. Bowen is set to miss six to eight weeks, which potentially rules him out until early March. West Ham next face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday night, live on talkSPORT. They then return to Premier League action on January 14 at home to Fulham followed by another London derby against Crystal Palace.
Graham Potter is close to being appointed West Ham boss.
West Ham cancelled their scheduled press conference with Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday morning, as they prepare to confirm the Spaniard’s departure.
Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Potter is very close to signing a deal that will see him succeed Lopetegui in the Hammers hotseat.
A breakthrough in negotiations means Potter is expected to join imminently on an initial six-month deal that could rise to two-and-a-half years assuming he hits certain targets.
And his first task could be a tough one as West Ham take on Aston Villa Park in an FA Cup third round tie on Friday night, live on talkSPORT.
talkSPORT revealed on Monday that West Ham had taken the decision to ditch Lopetegui and begun negotiations with Potter.
Despite this, Lopetegui has not been informed officially and took training on Tuesday and was due to do the same on Wednesday morning.
But West Ham called off a planned press conference on Wednesday at which he was set to preview Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Aston Villa as they prepare to make an official announcement.
Lopetegui only arrived in the summer as the successor to David Moyes, but is making a swift exit with the club 14th in the Premier League.
He has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks amid their poor form, with just six wins coming from 20 league games.
Now he has paid the price for back-to-back heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City over the Christmas period.
Potter is poised to replace him after positive talks and make his long-awaited return to management, having been out of work since he left Stamford Bridge in April 2023 following a successful stint at Brighton.
Sporting director Tim Steidten also faces an uncertain future at West Ham. That comes as it emerged Steidten is staying away from the training ground after a breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui.
West Ham spent around £130million on nine new players in the close season, but have lost nine of their 20 top-flight games this season.
Speaking to talkSPORT about Lopetegui as it was revealed he is facing the sack, West Ham legend Tony Cottee said of club chiefs: “They should hang their heads in shame.
“Tim Steidten, the board, it’s a pathetic appointment in the first place and I can’t believe what they do at times. West Ham is my club but it was just so the wrong appointment.
“Yes you can blame Lopetegui… But Tim Steidten is the director of football, David Sullivan is in charge of the club. They’ve got to take responsibility, they can’t keep making these stupid mistakes.
“If you get rid of one of West Ham’s most successful managers in terms of trophies then you’ve got to make the right appointment.”
An unbeaten run of four matches, which included two wins, over the festive period had sparked a sense of an upturn in form.
But the Hammers have tasted back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, with a 4-1 reverse at City following a 5-0 mauling by Liverpool at home.
Although West Ham remain seven points above the relegation zone, the club’s hierarchy took the decision on Monday to make a change.
A push for European qualification during the second half of the season appears to be an unlikely prospect as of now.
It would spark a second consecutive campaign without continental football just two years after they won the UEFA Conference League.
West Ham’s chances of success ahead of the summer have been dealt a huge blow too amid Jarrod Bowen’s recent injury.
The club captain was substituted in their home defeat to Liverpool and has suffered a fractured foot.
Bowen is set to miss six to eight weeks, which potentially rules him out until early March.
West Ham next face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday night, live on talkSPORT.
They then return to Premier League action on January 14 at home to Fulham followed by another London derby against Crystal Palace.
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