Lopetegui Succeeds Moyes In Hammers Hotseat

A new era has begun at West Ham United, as it was announced earlier today that they have appointed Julen Lopetegui.

Speculation had been rife that the Spaniard would be the man to replace David Moyes back on May 3, even though the Scotsman was still in place. Then, on the morning of May 6, it emerged that the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss had agreed to become the club’s new Head-Coach.

Later that evening, a statement was issued on the club’s website stating that Moyes would end his second spell with the Hammers at the end of the current season after it was revealed that he would not be staying in Stratford.

West Ham knocked Lopetegui’s Sevilla side out of the UEFA Europa League at the Round of 16 stage in March 2022, so he already knows what kind of atmosphere will be awaiting him when the 2024/25 season gets underway on Saturday 17 August.

After it was confirmed that Billy McKinlay, Kevin Nolan, Henry Newman and John Heitinga all followed Moyes in leaving the club on Wednesday, Lopetegui will bring his own backroom staff with him but well-respected Goalkeeping Coach Xavi Valero will remain as part of the new regime.

The first game for Lopetegui is a pre-season friendly in Florida when he will have an early reunion with Wolves as part of the Sunshine State Tour.

Before all of that though, there are going to be a number of movements in and out of East London on the transfer front and, the new Premier League fixture programme will be announced on 18 June. Details of both will be confirmed here as soon as information is available.