West Ham have reportedly reached an agreement with Julen Lopetegui to take over as manager should David Moyes depart from the club

The news of West Ham reaching an agreement in principle with Julen Lopetegui to take over from David Moyes as manager has sent ripples through the football world. Lopetegui, who has been out of work since leaving Wolves three days before the start of the 2023/24 season, has maintained his residence in England as he strives to make a return to Premier League management.

A seasoned coaching veteran at 57 years old, Lopetegui boasts an impressive managerial career that includes stints at prestigious clubs such as Porto, Real Madrid, and Sevilla, as well as leading the Spanish national team. His potential arrival at the London Stadium is poised to bring an exciting new chapter to West Ham’s footballing journey.

The impending departure of David Moyes, whose contract is set to expire in the summer, has sparked speculation amidst a recent string of challenges for West Ham in the Premier League. With only one victory in their last nine league games and a significant defeat to Chelsea, Moyes has faced mounting inquiries about his future at the club.

After the game, Moyes was asked whether he had any frustration about the club’s links with other managers, he said: “I’ll talk to the board at the end of the season. We’ll do that then.”

He added: “I’m the manager, I take ownership, but some of the players have to do that too. I feel bad for the fans, I don’t normally have teams who come and get beaten like this.

“But we’re lacking some of the ingredients – mental toughness, leadership to not get hammered like we have been several times. I can only say I’m really sorry for the way the game went.”

Notably, West Ham currently hold the ninth position in the Premier League and have reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season, underlining the magnitude of the transition that Lopetegui will step into.

In the previous season, Moyes led the club to a historic triumph, securing their first European trophy since 1965 by clinching the Europa Conference League with a memorable victory over Fiorentina. The potential handover to Lopetegui signifies a pivotal juncture for West Ham United as they navigate the intricacies of top-tier football both domestically and on the continental stage.