West Ham United make final decision on Hansi Flick at London Stadium
West Ham United have “decided not to go for” Hansi Flick as their next manager, instead turning to Julen Lopetegui to replace David Moyes, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist reported on 6 May that the Hammers have reached an agreement with Lopetegui, opting against making a move for former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Flick in the process.
Current manager Moyes is out of contract at the end of the season and it now appears he will leave the club when his deal expires.
West Ham United choose not to chase Hansi Flick
Flick’s credentials are difficult to question.
The 59-year-old won the treble with Bayern Munich in 2019/20 – just the second in the club’s history after Jupp Heynckes did so in 2012/13 – and actually led the Bavarian giants to six trophies in 2020, adding the DFL-Supercup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to that exceptional achievement.
However, his stock has fallen of late. His departure from Munich to manage the German national team was not a successful move and resulted in his sacking after a disappointing tenure in which Die Mannschaft were eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage for the second successive tournament.
Despite his recent fall from grace, Flick remained an ambitious target and, following Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim’s very public rejection of the West Ham job, perhaps the Hammers chiefs were wary of getting their metaphorical fingers burned once again.
Whatever their reasoning, the club have declined to pursue Flick as an option and look set to welcome Lopetegui to the London Stadium for the 2024/25 season – for better or worse.
In other West Ham news, Sullivan has been “won over” by talks with this manager.
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