West Ham have agreed a deal in principle with Julen Lopetegui to replace David Moyes as manager at the end of the season, Sky Sports News understands.
Lopetegui, 57, has been out of work since leaving Wolves three days before the start of the season but has remained in England hoping to get another job in the Premier League.
The Spaniard, who also managed Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla during an illustrious coaching career, looks set to take charge at the London Stadium at the end of the season following Moyes’ expected departure.
West Ham are ninth in the Championship after Sunday’s 5-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Moyes, 61, who is out of contract in the summer, has faced increasing doubts over his future as West Ham have won just one of their previous nine league games.
He said he felt “really sorry” for West Ham fans after seeing their team suffer a huge defeat at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “The fans have been great but I feel bad for them.
“Normally I don’t have teams that get defeated like that, but there are some ingredients missing – mental toughness and leadership to get better results, or at least not get defeated.
West Ham United manager David Moyes during the Premier League defeat to Chelsea. PA Photo
“The fans did their part and I can only say that I’m sorry for the way everything happened.”
The Scot, whose second spell as Hammers manager began in 2019, led the club to their best Premier League points total of 65 in 2021, finishing in sixth place.
The following year they finished seventh and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
They did one better last year, winning the Europa Conference League final, the club’s first European trophy since 1965.
In November, Lopetegui told Sky Sports News he had unfinished business in the Premier League.
He said: “That’s why I said no to different countries and different situations, because I would like to stay here in England. I feel like our team is just getting started and we want to make our dreams come true.
“The way the country experiences football here is special – it’s the best league in the world, the most competitive league in the world, the best environment for players, coaches and fans alike.”
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