Julen Lopetegui: Big termination fee update after West Ham sack news
West Ham have likely already agreed a fixed compensation fee with manager Julen Lopetegui as speculation intensifies around his future at the club, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 4 December London Stadium chiefs are set for sack talks with the 58-year-old following his side’s 3-1 defeat against Leicester City on Tuesday.
Lopetegui was appointed as David Moyes’s successor on a two-year deal in May after previous spells with Porto, Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolves.
But it’s been a disappointing opening few months for the Spaniard in east London, having won just four of his 14 Premier League matches in charge.
West Ham’s poor form has left them sitting 14th in the table, just six points above the relegation zone.
Sources have told Football Insider the club won’t need to pay all of Lopetegui’s contract up until June 2026 if they decide to sack him after they likely agreed a fixed compensation clause when he signed his deal just over six months ago.
West Ham to avoid PSR issues despite heavy spending
Lopetegui was heavily backed by West Ham’s hierarchy in the summer transfer window after making nine new additions.
He spent more than £120million on Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guido Rodriguez, Wes Foderingham, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carlos Soler.
Meanwhile, the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta all remained with the club.
Sources have told Football Insider West Ham will not face any financial issues this season if they decide to sack Lopetegui despite their heavy summer spending.
The East Londoners are believed to be in a “strong” position from a profit and sustainability (PSR) perspective following the £105million sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last year.
Under the PSR rules, top-flight sides are only permitted to make £105million of losses over a rolling three-year period.
West Ham’s revenue fell by £16million to £237million in their latest accounts for 2022-23 due to a decrease in broadcast revenue.
But Football Insider revealed in April the Premier League side are likely to have generated a club-record revenue of more than £350million for 2023-24 following the sale of Rice and their Europa League exploits last season.
In other news, West Ham make Vladimir Coufal transfer decision.
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