West Ham United is on the verge of ending Julen Lopetegui’s brief tenure as manager following a disappointing start to the season.
The 58-year-old Spaniard, who signed a two-year deal in the summer, succeeded David Moyes but has struggled to deliver results. The Hammers are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, just seven points above the relegation zone, with only seven wins in 22 matches across all competitions.
Heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City seem to have sealed Lopetegui’s fate. Reports suggest the club has already begun discussions to appoint a new manager swiftly, with Graham Potter emerging as the leading candidate.
Potter, formerly of Chelsea and Brighton, has been unemployed since April 2023 and has expressed interest in returning to management.
“I’m open to anything,” Potter said recently. “I’ve had an incredible journey in football and would love to continue developing players and teams.”
Betfair lists Potter as the favorite to replace Lopetegui with 4/7 odds. Other potential candidates include Edin Terzic and Michael Carrick at 9/1, Kasper Hjulmand at 10/1, and former manager David Moyes at 14/1. Longshots include Erik ten Hag, Gareth Southgate, and Max Allegri, with odds ranging from 20/1 to 33/1.
Despite his struggles, Lopetegui defended his team’s recent performances. After a loss to Manchester City, he highlighted missed opportunities and poor luck, including an own goal and questionable refereeing decisions, as key factors in their defeat.
As speculation grows, the question remains: Is Graham Potter the right fit to turn things around at the London Stadium?