Gary O'Neil has been linked with the West Ham job.
Gary O'Neil has been linked with the West Ham job.
Match

West Ham next manager: Gary O'Neil mooted in Julen Lopetegui sack update

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Gary O'Neil has been named as a potential successor as Julen Lopetegui's future comes under serious pressure at West Ham, as per The Times.

The newspaper reports via its website [6 January] that the Spaniard could be relieved from his managerial duties ahead of the Hammers' next Premier League clash against Fulham on Tuesday 14 January [Claret and Hugh].

O'Neil, who is now out of work after being sacked by Wolves following a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town in December, has been named next to Graham Potter and Edin Terzic as potential Lopetegui replacements [The Times].

The 41-year-old played for the Irons between 2011 and 2013 during his playing career before going on to feature for QPR, Norwich City, Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers.

Gary O'Neil to replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham United?

Given O'Neil's most recent spell in the Premier League, supporters are unlikely to be very excited about his potential appointment at the London Stadium.

He was under pressure when facing the Hammers at the London Stadium last month [John Percy], losing 2-1 in a clash dubbed the "El Sackico" and just one game later, he was replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The likes of Potter and Terzic will certainly be grabbing the headlines in East London, with the former especially being favoured amongst the fanbase due to his work with Brighton and Chelsea.

David Sullivan will be keen to make the correct decision this time, or at least a more favourable one, given the frustration and complaints after Lopetegui replaced David Moyes last summer.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui
West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]

The Spaniard promised a much more exciting style of play, but as the Hammers continue to struggle at both ends of the pitch, emotions are running high at the London Stadium.

While the fans will be relieved to see so many rumours circulating around Lopetegui's future, many will be dissatisfied by the thought of O'Neil being the one to replace him.

In other West Ham news, one player baffled in a “strange” moment as the Hammers lost 4-1 to Manchester City.

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Julen Lopetegui
Gary O'Neil
West Ham
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