Julen Lopetegui closes in on West Ham United job after positive talks to replace David Moyes
Julen Lopetegui is “likely” to become the new West Ham manager if David Sullivan ignores the Spaniard’s doubters after “productive” talks were held, according to The Guardian.
Jacob Steinberg reported via the paper’s website on 24 April that the former Wolves manager had made a “strong impression” in East London but has also spoken to AC Milan about taking over at the San Siro.
Lopetegui, 57, has attended at least one Hammers match at the London Stadium this season and his experience in the Premier League is something valued by Sullivan, but there reportedly hasn’t been universally-positive feedback on the man who lost the Spain job on the eve of the 2018 World Cup for negotiating a move to Real Madrid and then was sacked in the capital by October of the new season.
Some around the West Ham chairman are said to feel the club need a younger coach to replace David Moyes but if Sullivan discounts those views the ex-Sevilla and Porto boss is now believed to be in a strong position to get the Hammers job.
Will David Sullivan choose former Wolves boss for West Ham?
Lopetegui appears to be advancing towards the job at the London Stadium as other options come and go around him, with Ruben Amorim flying in for talks with Sullivan but now thought to be unlikely [Fabrizio Romano, 24 April].
Steinberg had reported earlier this week that the West Ham co-owner himself was unconvinced by the former Molineux manager so if he is now potentially leaning towards choosing him while others who aren’t sure it would suggest he has taken a significant step forward.
At just three years younger than the 60-year-old Moyes it is perhaps no surprise that there is a feeling the club need to make a more significant change now that they appear to have finally near-enough made a decision on the Scot’s future.
But it would be short-sighted to discount any option based on their age if they have the right tactics and outlook, since Moyes’ defensive set up and his unwillingness to use his squad sufficiently is surely what has seen many fans lose patience with him rather than how old he is.
Lopetegui has a Europa League crown to his name from his time at Sevilla which is a major positive, even if his 13th-placed finish with Wolves may be seen as somewhat underwhelming when West Ham will have aspirations to continue qualifying for Europe.
But Tim Steidten is said to now be pushing for the club to bring in former Chelsea and current Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, and if the German can convince his bosses to go after his compatriot he might be a more popular choice than Lopetegui, although the latter is seemingly a lot closer at this stage.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are ready to table a bid to sign a new attacker after Steidten flew out to see him in person.
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