West Ham sack six staff members in bombshell statement
West Ham United have torn up the backroom staff at the London Stadium with six sackings made by the club on Wednesday.
As announced via the official Hammers website (8 January), Julen Lopetegui has been relieved of his duties despite taking Wednesday morning’s training session at Rush Green [Sky Sports, 8 January], and will be joined by five of his staff through the exit door.
The Irons have admitted form under Lopetegui had failed to meet expectations for the campaign, ahead of which Tim Steidten led a recruitment drive and spent over £100million, only to find themselves 14th in the Premier League after 20 games.
West Ham stated: “The club can confirm that Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba and Technical Coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect.”
West Ham United to change coaching setup from scratch
West Ham shocked no-one when they confirmed the departure of Lopetegui – it had seemed inevitable for months despite only being plucked from unemployment by Steidten in the summer.
It is strongly anticipated that Graham Potter will become the Spaniard’s successor, and will consequently be aiming to bring with him numerous new staff to create an entirely different backroom team.
Potter could even be in charge of the Irons at Villa Park on Friday night as the club look to reach the last 32 of the FA Cup (10 January).
Lopetegui only managed 22 games at the helm in East London, with a 31.82 percent win rate – the lowest of any job he has taken since a brief 11-game stint in charge of Rayo Vallecano back in 2003.
However, there is plenty of controversy over the way he has been treated by the board, having taken training – alongside his fellow sacked colleagues – while surely knowing his fate following the end of Wednesday’s session.
In other West Ham news, the imminent arrival of Potter could set up a perfect opportunity to sign a Brighton striker he worked with.
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