Julen Lopetegui, a former Wolves boss with experience at Real Madrid, Sevilla, and the Spain national team, has agreed to become the next manager of West Ham. This decision will mark the end of David Moyes’ tenure as Hammers boss when his contract expires at the end of the season. Lopetegui, who left Wolves at the start of this season due to concerns about their spending power, had remained in England and expressed a desire to manage in the Premier League again.
West Ham’s decision to hire Lopetegui came after extensive negotiations with the club’s hierarchy. They considered other candidates, including Ruben Amirom from Sporting Lisbon, but ultimately chose Lopetegui for his coaching track record, player development skills, and attractive style of play. Moyes, who led West Ham to Europa Conference League success last season, faced growing pressure from fans due to what they perceived as a cautious style of play. Big defeats and the team’s exit from Europe were key factors in the decision to replace him.
Moyes, who had two stints in charge at the London Stadium, initially succeeded in keeping the team safe from relegation and then secured silverware in his second spell. However, his inability to adequately replace star player Declan Rice, who departed for Arsenal, and his desire for more control over transfer targets contributed to his departure. Lopetegui is expected to work closely with technical director Tim Steidten in a more European model, which appealed to West Ham’s leadership and influenced their decision to hire him.
With Lopetegui set to take over at West Ham, Moyes faced criticism after a heavy 5-0 loss to Chelsea. This defeat highlighted issues with the team’s performance and sealed Moyes’ fate as manager. Despite talks of a potential contract extension following an improvement in results post-Christmas, West Ham’s disappointing European campaign and concerns over the team’s style of play ultimately led to Moyes’ departure. Lopetegui’s appointment signals a new chapter for the club and a fresh start under his leadership in the upcoming seasons.
