Sources: Jorge Mendes client is top contender to be new West Ham manager
Julen Lopetegui is a top contender to succeed David Moyes as the next manager of West Ham, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Thursday (21 December) that Moyes is yet to hold talks with the Irons about extending his contract with the club and could depart at the end of this season – when his current deal expires.
Lopetegui is eager to return to Premier League management after leaving Wolves on the eve of the 2023-24 campaign following their summer fire sale.
The Spaniard has recently revealed he still lives in Wolverhampton as he waits for his next opportunity and also claimed he has already rejected several offers.
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (20 December) that Lopetegui was the first choice for Nottingham Forest but rejected the Midlands club – who have now appointed Nuno Espirito Santo.
It is believed he turned the Forest job down due to concerns over the volatility of owner Evangelos Marinakis and a potential lack of control over transfers.
Lopetegui, like Espirito Santo, is a client of Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes.
His only spell in the Premier League came at Wolves, where he was appointed in November 2022 during the mid-season World Cup break.
He took charge when the Midlands side were sat bottom, but turned their fortunes around to achieve a 13th-place finish.
The Spaniard, who formerly managed Spain and Real Madrid, left Molineux after a summer fire sale which saw the likes of Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Matheus Nunes leave Molineux.
West Ham sit eighth in the Premier League and have advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League but questions remain about Moyes’ long-term future at the London Stadium.
It is believed the Scot and recently appointed sporting director Tim Steidten came to blows during the summer over transfer targets.
In other news, West Ham scouts impressed by Ligue 1 star as bid plotted.