Hello and welcome to our latest West Ham United manager blog. football.london will have you covered at every step as the Hammers prepare to make a change in their dugout.
Julen Lopetegui, who was only appointed to replace David Moyes as West Ham manager this summer - appears to have been handed his P45 with Graham Potter set to take over. He's an odds-on favourite with the bookies.
Not only that, reports emerging from the national media indicate Potter, who previously managed Premier League rivals Chelsea, has now agreed to step in at the London Stadium with an announcement expected imminently.
It follows intense speculation around the managerial position. Lopetegui oversaw training on Tuesday, but it might well prove to be his final act as head coach.
football.london will have all of the latest news, views and updates on what is a developing situation.
You follow our dedicated West Ham blog updates LIVE on the club's latest managerial change below.
West Ham 'agree' Potter deal
West Ham have already 'agreed' a deal with Graham Potter to become their new manager following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, despite the wording of their official statement.
That is according to reports coming from The Telegraph.
West Ham club statement
The club have released the following statement:
"West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the Club.
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.
The Club can confirm 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 also left with immediate effect.
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 process of appointing a replacement is underway."
The Club will be making no further comment at this time.
BREAKING - West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui
Confirmation on the news that we have all been expecting has arrived.
Julen Lopetegui is no longer West Ham manager as a new era beckons.
Graham Potter speaks on past MNF appearance
You might remember seeing Graham Potter on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football in September, where he addressed his managerial career - so far - which could be about to be revived at West Ham imminently. Here's what the ex-Chelsea and Brighton head coach had to say about the Blues and his future (or current) plans;
Of course, that was disappointing, it's never nice when you lose your job in any walk of life. But in the end you have to treat it as a learning experience, you have to treat it as an opportunity to grow and improve. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had, I'm grateful for the experience - it was tough and challenging - but there were some highlights as well.
No formal West Ham announcement (yet)
For those who have been with us throughout the day, there has been no formal update, as yet, except for the fact that Julen Lopetegui was spotted at the training ground - and due to take this morning's session. Graham Potter is being widely tipped to take over;
Why are West Ham about to sack Julen Lopetegui?
In short, things haven't quite gone as planned for the Spaniard this season. Julen Lopetegui was named as the club's successor for David Moyes last summer, but West Ham are in 14th place this campaign with 23 points after 20 games played. Beyond that, they have just won three in their last nine matches since November's international break.
Next five West Ham matches for next manager
An important FA Cup tie awaits for Graham Potter (or whoever) as and when the managerial change is made. Here are the next five matches West Ham will encounter in all competitions;
Friday, January 10 vs Aston Villa (A) at 8pm - FA Cup R3
Tuesday, January 14 vs Fulham (H) at 7.30pm - Premier League
Saturday, January 18 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 3pm - Premier League
Sunday, January 26 vs Aston Villa (A) at 4.30pm - Premier League
Monday, February 3 vs Chelsea (A) at 8pm - Premier League
The state of play with Julen Lopetegui's position
No formal announcement from West Ham just yet, but plans are in place to sack Julen Lopetegui and replace him with Graham Potter, who was most-recently in charge across the capital city with Chelsea. As mentioned, Lopetegui was due to oversee team training this afternoon - even though his pre-match press conference for the FA Cup tie vs Aston has been cancelled. A rather odd twist given the context.
Julen Lopetegui to take West Ham training today
A surprising update on Julen Lopetegui and his immediate future. It looks as though he will take training this morning, even though his press conference has been cancelled. Reports from Sky Sports flag up that scenario - but there is not expected to be too much change with regards to his overall fate;
Harry Redknapp gives verdict on managerial change
Harry Redknapp is a man who needs no introduction at West Ham and the former manager has shared his thoughts on what has gone wrong for Julen Lopetegui - but he reckons the club are far from blameless. Here's what he told BBC Radio London;
It's disrespectful [from West Ham] no doubt about that. If you want to get rid of him, you call him and say; 'I'm sorry it's not worked out'... obviously talks have been going on with Graham Potter. He seems to be the number one target. But it's not an easy place to manage West Ham. The expectation there is very high. So whoever does go in there - not only do they have to produce a winning team - they've got to produce a team that plays what West Ham fans see as 'the West Ham way'.
Next five West Ham matches for new manager
An important FA Cup tie awaits for Graham Potter (or whoever) as and when the managerial change is made. Here are the next five matches West Ham will encounter in all competitions;
Friday, January 10 vs Aston Villa (A) at 8pm - FA Cup R3
Tuesday, January 14 vs Fulham (H) at 7.30pm - Premier League
Saturday, January 18 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 3pm - Premier League
Sunday, January 26 vs Aston Villa (A) at 4.30pm - Premier League
Monday, February 3 vs Chelsea (A) at 8pm - Premier League
Graham Potter could be in place for next West Ham game
As expected, things are starting to move very quickly at the London Stadium and beyond.
Following up from reports this morning, radio station talkSPORT expect Graham Potter to be in place in time for West Ham's next match, which comes against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night - and that showdown will be screened on TV.
Reports indicate West Ham decision is imminent
Julen Lopetegui was due to speak with the media this afternoon. However, the press conference has now been cancelled to spark up concrete suggestions that a sack decision is imminent. Fresh reports from The Daily Mail indicate that sources close to the 58-year-old know "it's just a matter of time" before that call is announced.
Julen Lopetegui expected to be sacked by West Ham
Hello and welcome to our latest West Ham next manager blog.
Speculation around Julen Lopetegui - and his future - remains at fever pitch. Emerging reports indicate that he will be sacked - despite only replacing David Moyes at the London Stadium this summer. Stay tuned for updates.
