January 08, (THEWILL) – West Ham United have dismissed manager, Julen Lopetegui, following a disappointing run of results, with Graham Potter emerging as the leading candidate to take charge at the London Stadium. The decision comes after 22 matches at the helm, during which the team registered only six victories in 20 English Premier League fixtures.
The Spanish manager’s tenure concluded following a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City, leaving West Ham in 14th position, seven points clear of the relegation places. The club released an official statement on Wednesday, indicating that performance levels had fallen short of expectations during the 2024/2025 campaign.
Despite substantial investment exceeding £125 million on players including Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug, Lopetegui’s side struggled for consistency. The team endured significant home defeats, including a 5-2 loss to Arsenal and a 5-0 defeat against Liverpool at the London Stadium.
Graham Potter, who previously managed Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea, stands at the forefront of potential replacements. Reports indicate discussions have taken place regarding an initial short-term arrangement. Potter has remained without a managerial position since departing Chelsea in April 2023, where he achieved 12 victories across 31 matches.
The 58-year-old Lopetegui, who arrived in May 2023 following David Moyes’s departure, inherited a team that had clinched the Europa Conference League trophy. Under Moyes, West Ham had maintained three consecutive seasons of European qualification, marking a period of considerable achievement.
Lopetegui becomes the fifth Premier League manager to depart during the current season, joining Erik ten Hag, Steve Cooper, Gary O’Neil, and Russell Martin. West Ham face immediate challenges with upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, followed by EPL encounters with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
