West Ham ask Graham Potter to be new manager with Lopetegui facing sack | West Ham United

West Ham have requested Graham Potter to develop into their new supervisor after deciding to sack Julen Lopetegui. Potter held talks with the membership’s largest shareholder, David Sullivan, on Monday evening and is mulling over whether or not to just accept the supply.

Lopetegui has not been formally sacked but however the Spaniard is known to be on borrowed time. The previous Wolves supervisor has been in cost for the reason that summer time, when he changed David Moyes, and has overseen heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis in his previous two matches.

Lopetegui was virtually sacked final month and has been below fixed stress this season. The 58-year-old stays in his put up for now, with West Ham attributable to go to Aston Villa within the third spherical of the FA Cup on Friday, however his days on the London Stadium are numbered.

Potter, who has been out of labor since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, is aware of the job is his if he needs it. There are nonetheless particulars to iron out, although, and nothing has been finalised but. Potter, who additionally has admirers at Everton, held discussions with West Ham final month, just for Lopetegui to be given extra time.

The previous Brighton supervisor’s talks with Sullivan got here after a day by which it emerged that Tim Steidten, the technical director, has been staying away from the coaching floor after an extra breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui.

A number of sources have mentioned that Lopetegui requested Steidten to avoid coaching. This has been denied by West Ham, who’ve attributed the German’s absence to him specializing in this month’s switch window. Nonetheless it’s arduous to see how Steidten and Lopetegui can proceed to work collectively. Steidten, who can also be below stress, has been searching for a brand new supervisor for a number of months.

Considered one of West Ham’s earlier targets, Sérgio Conceição, has joined Milan, and the previous Borussia Dortmund supervisor Edin Terzic is regarded as cool on the concept of changing Lopetegui. Issues over Max Allegri’s English make a transfer for the previous Juventus supervisor an unlikely appointment.

Steidten, who has an workplace on the coaching floor and has confronted scrutiny over a few of his signings, was additionally informed to avoid coaching by Lopetegui’s predecessor, Moyes, final season.

West Ham, who’re 14th within the league, seven factors above the underside three, have shipped objectives at an alarming price below Lopetegui. They face key dwelling league video games in opposition to Fulham and Crystal Palace subsequent week.

The Hammers created a variety of probabilities in opposition to Metropolis final Saturday however poor defending has weakened Lopetegui’s place and the ahead line has been hit by the absence of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen, who’s out for 2 months with a damaged foot.

The membership are additions in assault and are contemplating a mortgage transfer for Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, who can also be wished by Fulham. The Wolves striker Hwang Hee‑chan can also be of curiosity and a transfer for the Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is a risk. West Ham additionally just like the Manchester Metropolis teenager James McAtee, though they’ve restricted funds accessible.

Insiders have mentioned Steidten, who was employed in the summertime of 2023, remains to be enjoying an lively function in recruitment. However whereas his function has not been downgraded, questions have been requested about his work and he has develop into unpopular with some employees members. Doubts over Steidten’s information of English soccer have surfaced and it’s understood the board are taking a extra lively function in transfers this month.