West Ham fires manager Julen Lopetegui with team 14th in Premier League

By James Robson, The Associated Press on January 8, 2025.

West Ham's manager Julen Lopetegui looks on before the start of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London Stadium in London, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Julen Lopetegui was fired by West Ham on Wednesday after less than a year in the job and with the Premier League club in danger of being dragged into a relegation fight.

Lopetegui paid the price for a run of just three wins in his last 11 games, with West Ham 14th in the standings and seven points above the drop zone.

Media reports said former Chelsea coach Graham Potter was in talks to replace Lopetegui.

“West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the Club,” West Ham said in a statement on Wednesday. “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.”

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