West Ham United has made a significant shake-up in their coaching staff, sacking manager Julen Lopetegui and five members of his team on Wednesday, January 8. Despite leading the squad through a training session that morning, Lopetegui was dismissed after a string of disappointing results, with the club currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League after 20 matches. The poor performance came despite a summer transfer investment exceeding £100 million, orchestrated by sporting director Tim Steidten.
The club also announced that Lopetegui’s staff, including 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, would be leaving immediately. West Ham cited a failure to meet expectations as the primary reason for the decision.
Lopetegui’s sacking had seemed inevitable for some time, given the team’s struggles under his leadership, and follows his appointment from unemployment just months earlier. It is widely anticipated that former Brighton manager Graham Potter will take over the role. Potter, should he be confirmed, is likely to bring in his own backroom team, signaling a complete overhaul of West Ham’s coaching setup. The club is reportedly hoping Potter will be in charge for their FA Cup tie against Aston Villa on Friday, January 10, aiming for a place in the competition’s last 32.
Lopetegui’s brief stint at West Ham lasted just 22 games, with a disappointing win rate of 31.82%, the lowest of his managerial career, save for a short tenure at Rayo Vallecano in 2003. His treatment has sparked some controversy, as he was involved in training on Wednesday while clearly aware his future at the club was uncertain.
With Potter’s potential arrival, the club could also look to make further moves in the transfer market, including a possible reunion with a striker from Brighton with whom Potter worked closely.
