West Ham United hold talks with Hansi Flick amid developments around Julen Lopetegui
West Ham have now held talks with Hansi Flick over potentially taking over at the London Stadium, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist reported via the newspaper’s website on 29 April that the German had been spoken to as the Irons look to find a replacement for David Moyes, who they are preparing to move on from in the summer when his contract expires.
Julen Lopetegui’s case has also been revived after AC Milan reportedly got “cold feet” over appointing the former Wolves boss, who was said to see the Italian giants as an opportunity which was too good to turn down.
Flick emerged on the Hammers’ short list while overtures were being made towards Spaniard Lopetegui and Sporting boss Ruben Amorim, and the former Bayern Munich boss’ standing in the race to replace Moyes appears to be slowly advancing.
Is Hansi Flick emerging as dark horse to replace David Moyes at West Ham?
The focus has largely been on Amorim and Lopetegui as activity has recently ramped up in the background of Moyes’ presumed final weeks in charge at West Ham.
The former has already admitted he made a mistake traveling to London for talks [ESPN, 27 April] with David Sullivan and seems to be out of the race, while the latter may or may not yet be appointed at the San Siro.
Flick’s availability has been somewhat unheralded since the 59-year-old’s sacking by Germany in October, the first to be removed from that job in the nation’s history.
That perhaps suggests there are doubts within European football over him, despite his stunning short spell in charge at the Allianz Arena, which saw him win the treble in the 2019-20 season and be named the inaugural UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year.
But after it emerged that agents were pushing his candidacy, and that technical director Tim Steidten is a fan from his time in Germany, it seems that with talks now held he may be emerging as a genuine contender at West Ham.
Lopetegui appears to be the favourite currently, but there is reportedly some division over the former Spain and Real Madrid boss at the London Stadium, and his apparent willingness to choose Milan over the Irons likely won’t have done anything to smooth that over.
And while Flick’s own credentials suggest he may be a risk himself advances appear to be occurring behind the scenes.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are set to receive multiple offers as four clubs race to sign an exciting attacker.
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