Graham Potter appointment: Julen Lopetegui starts training in new West Ham twist
Julen Lopetegui has started training at West Ham on Wednesday morning but is expected to be sacked from his job after, according to David Ornstein.
The Athletic journalist reported via X that Lopetegui is leading the training session ahead of the Hammers’ FA Cup tie against Aston Villa although will be relieved of his duties subsequently.
Furthermore, talks with Graham Potter are not complete but are continuing the move in the right direction with his appointment set to be confirmed within 24 hours.
West Ham set to replace Julen Lopetegui with Graham Potter
Lopetegui’s departure from The London Stadium is inevitable and it seems as though David Sullivan wants to be sure of his successor before he makes any final decisions.
However, it does seem strange to have the Spaniard overseeing a training session when it will be known by all present that it will be the final time, it doesn’t seem particularly progressive from that point of view.
Jacob Steinberg (8 January) claims that a deal has been struck with Potter to take over in East London although following previous reports [The Times, 7 January] that negotiations over the length of the contract were delaying proceedings, it is likely that this is what is taking the final bits of time.
The training session will surely be goodbyes for Lopetegui at West Ham and it seems as though he will be formally dismissed from his role following with the announcement of Potter after.
The 49-year-old will surely bring a renewed sense of hope to The London Stadium ahead of the second half of the campaign although it must be questioned whether Sullivan has conducted this in the best way.
In other West Ham news, the arrival of Graham Potter could scupper one Hammers transfer in January.
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