West Ham board want Lopetegui alternative, ‘enormous’ offer ready – sources
West Ham chiefs are split over the potential appointment of out-of-work boss Julen Lopetegui, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday (5 May) that the Irons are submitting an offer to Lopetegui, 57, after holding initial talks with him about succeeding David Moyes – who will depart at the end of his contract in June.
However, it is believed some board members are keen to U-turn on appointing the Spaniard and push the boat out to bring Ruben Amorim to the London Stadium.
Sources have told Football Insider that Amorim would command an “enormous” compensation fee of up to £17million as he is under contract at Sporting CP until June 2026.
Nevertheless, a swoop for the Portuguese boss is increasingly being seen as the more ambitious move with fans unconvinced of Lopetegui’s credentials.
Amorim, 39, has held talks with West Ham in London about taking the job – a decision he publicly apologised to his club for.
West Ham chiefs want Amorim appointment as Lopetegui stance revealed
He helped Sporting win the Portuguese top-flight on Saturday (4 May) with a 3-0 victory over Portimonense – their second league title under his management.
Meanwhile, Lopetegui has been out of work since leaving Wolves on the eve of the 2023-24 campaign due to the Molineux club’s fire sale.
He has also taken charge at Sevilla, Real Madrid and the Spanish national side in a 21-year managerial career.
Moyes’ time at West Ham is ending on a sour note after their 5-0 away loss at Chelsea on Sunday (5 May).
The Irons are now ninth in the Premier League and could finish in the bottom half after winning just one of their last nine top-flight games.
In other news, West Ham willing to accept midfielder offer.
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