West Ham new manager: Solhekol says what he’s been told about ‘world-class’ duo
West Ham United have interviewed two “world-class” managers apart from Graham Potter over their head coach role, according to Kaveh Solhekol.
The Sky Sports journalist revealed that Graham Potter remains the frontrunner to replace Julen Lopetegui as the Irons boss, although the two other managers in question “want to come” to East London.
He added that both those candidates boast UEFA Champions League experience, with one of them winning the league in his own country, as well as the Super Cup, but did not clarify if it was the UEFA competition.
“It’s an open secret in football that West Ham have been speaking to other candidates”, Solhekol said on Sky Sports News (7 January).
“Now my understanding is that they have interviewed at least three other people to take over from Julen Lopetegui and two of them are being described to me as ‘world-class’ managers who have both Champions League experience and both want to come to West Ham.
“One of them apparently, has recently won the league title in his own country and also the Super Cup.
“I’ve been trying to find out the exact names. I’ve got my own ideas about who it could possibly be.
“But let’s not dwell on them for too long because, at the moment, the clear frontrunner to take over from Julien Lopetegui is Graham Potter, the former Chelsea and Brighton manager, although I am not a 100 per cent convinced that everybody – the key decision makers at West Ham – are all convinced that he is the right person for the job.
“My information is that he definitely is the frontrunner. I think West Ham know that they need to make a change, results and performances haven’t been good enough and I think something will be done pretty soon.”
Julen Lopetegui running out of time at West Ham
With rumours over a managerial change rife, it is evident that the writing is on the wall for Lopetegui.
The Hammers hoped the Spanish tactician would take them to greater heights when they named him as the replacement for David Moyes.
However, that has clearly backfired as the East London outfit are placed 14th in the Premier League after 20 games, sitting just seven points above the relegation zone.
David Sullivan, who prefers assessing the situation of managers at the end of the season, has been reluctant to sack Lopetegui, but appears to be running out of patience.
The 58-year-old oversaw the Irons’ training session on Tuesday (7 January) ahead of their FA Cup clash with Aston Villa on Friday, 10 January, but it is unclear if he will be in the dugout at Villa Park.
It would be really surprising if he is still at the club when Fulham visit the London Stadium in the Premeir League next Tuesday, 14 January.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have lined up a new striker signing with the player already on his way to Rush Green.
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