May 23 – West Ham United have appointed former Real Madrid and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium next season.
The 57-year-old Spaniard, who finalised a deal with the Hammers earlier this month, joins on a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
Despite his star-studded CV, Lopetegui has been without a job since August after parting ways with Wolves following an unconvincing 2022/23 campaign.
“I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club,” he said.
“We had other opportunities but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this.”
Lopetegui will officially assume his role on July 1 coinciding with the start of pre-season, which includes a two-week tour of the US for matches against Crystal Palace and Wolves.
“I feel that we have a fantastic platform,” Lopetegui added.
“My ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete.”
Earlier this month, West Ham announced that David Moyes, who began his second stint as manager in December 2019 and led the team to a Europa Conference League victory in 2023, would be departing at the end of the season.
The 61-year-old Scotsman faced mounting pressure following a disappointing run of results, which concluded in the Hammers finishing ninth in the Premier League and missing out on a fourth successive European campaign.
West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan said of Lopetgui’s appointment: “We believe this appointment will ensure a strong opportunity to build on the positive progress made in recent seasons, helping the club to move forward in the direction that aligns with our ambitions.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735257135labto1735257135ofdlr1735257135owedi1735257135sni@g1735257135niwe.1735257135yrrah1735257135