West Ham United accelerate Julen Lopetegui appointment after talks for months
West Ham United have put their foot on the gas to appoint Julen Lopetegui as their new manager after months of talks, according to Francesco Nasato.
The Corriere Della Sera journalist posted on X with an update on EFE Noticias reports on the hunt for a new manager at West Ham, saying they are looking to close the deal for Lopetegui.
West Ham are yet to confirm if David Moyes will leave the club this summer, but their discussions with Lopetegui and other big names suggest a departure is likely.
West Ham close in on Lopetegui appointment to replace Moyes
West Ham still have plenty to play for this season, despite a poor run of recent form which saw them exit the Europa League quarter-finals and their hopes of a top-six place in the Premier League take a hit.
A 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the London Stadium may have snapped a two-game losing run, but still leaves the Hammers five points off the pace behind Manchester United and Newcastle, both of whom have a game in hand.
If Moyes can turn West Ham’s form around and seal another campaign on the continent for the fourth season in a row, the club will feel their chances of landing a high-profile coach such as Lopetegui would increase.
Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca have also been linked with the London Stadium vacancy this summer, and Hansi Flick was spotted at the stadium itself earlier this season, but the Irons have seemingly identified Lopetegui as their first choice to succeed Moyes.
The end of the current season could still produce plenty of twists and turns, and beating Milan to the signature of Lopetegui would certainly be a coup for a club who want to break into the Premier League’s elite.
In other West Ham news, a switch to the London Stadium could interest Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna this summer
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