West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui replaces Graham Potter as manager.

Hammers make managerial change and say 'first half of season has not fit with the club's aspirations.'

Julen Lopetegui has been sacked after only six months in command of West Ham, with Graham Potter set to take over.

Lopetegui was named David Moyes' replacement last summer and received strong backing in the transfer window as the Hammers sought to repeat their European qualification campaign.

However, the former Spain and Real Madrid manager leaves with the club in 14th place, seven points above the relegation zone.

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

"The first half of the 2024-25 season did not correspond with the club's aspirations, so the club has taken action in accordance with its objectives.

"The club confirms 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 all gone with immediate effect.

The board would like to thank Julen and his crew for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them continued success.

"The process of appointing a replacement is underway."

Lopetegui won only one of his first six Premier League games in charge, and while there were glimpses of life, notably a solid win away to Newcastle in late November and a recent four-game undefeated streak, massive back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool proved to be the end of the road.

Potter has been out of work since he left Chelsea in April 2023. He has been connected with a number of jobs since then, including West Ham last summer and the England post following Gareth Southgate's resignation.

The 49-year-old is now set to return to management, with West Ham's next FA Cup match away to Aston Villa on Friday night.

Lopetegui has failed to offer the appealing, offensive style of play that many fans hoped for after Moyes' departure, and the Hammers have looked shockingly vulnerable at the back. They have conceded 39 goals in only 20 games, ranking fourth in the division, and their goal difference of -15 is the lowest of any team outside the relegation zone.

The forward line has been hampered by injury to Michail Antonio and, more recently, Jarrod Bowen, while Mohammed Kudus missed five games due to a penalty for aggressive conduct, and star centre-forward acquisition Niclas Fullkrug is only now getting up to speed.

There have also been allegations in recent days of rising tensions between Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten, who has decided to avoid the first-team training area. A similar incident occurred near the conclusion of Moyes' reign, and Steidten is also under scrutiny, with several of last summer's important deals yet to be completed.

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