WEST HAM SACK JULEN LOPETGUI AFTER DEAL AGREED WITH GRAHAM POTTER

Graham Potter expected to be in place before Friday’s FA Cup tie at Aston Villa

Julen Lopetegui's short managerial reign at West Ham has come to an end. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA

West Ham have sacked Julen Lopetegui and are preparing to announce Graham Potter as their manager after he agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract. Final details with Potter were being settled on Wednesday, with the vice-chair, Karren Brady, heavily involved in talks.

Announcing the departure of Lopetegui, West Ham said: “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.”

A lunchtime press conference with Lopetegui had been cancelled on Wednesday morning and Potter is expected to take training on Thursday and to be in the dugout for Friday’s FA Cup tie at Aston Villa.

The process stalled on Tuesday because West Ham’s preference was for Potter to take over until the end of the season, whereas the former Brighton and Chelsea manager was pushing for a longer deal.

West Ham then agreed to Potter’s demand for a contract to 2027, clearing the way for him to return to coaching for the first time since he left Chelsea after seven months in April 2023.

Graham Potter is expected to be in place as West Ham's new manager by Friday's FA Cup fixture against Aston Villa. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Lopetegui is understood to have attended work as usual on Wednesday as he awaited confirmation of his departure. He took training on Tuesday despite knowing West Ham had decided to sack him but cancelled a team meal scheduled for Tuesday night.

The Spaniard has taken charge of 20 league games and two Carabao Cup ties since replacing David Moyes. He was close to losing his job last month – at which point West Ham had discussions with Potter – but a four-match unbeaten run, including wins against Wolves and Southampton, gave him a short-term reprieve.

Two heavy defeats, 5-0 at home to Liverpool and 4-1 at Manchester City, sealed his fate. West Ham, seven points above the relegation zone, have home league games against Fulham and Crystal Palace next week.

West Ham said five members of Lopetegui’s backroom staff had also left. “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 club said. – Guardian

- Jacob Steinberg