West Ham appoint Lopetegui as Moyes’ replacement

West Ham has appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach, succeeding David Moyes. The 57-year-old Spaniard, who finalized his agreement with the Hammers earlier this month, has signed a two-year deal, with the option for a third.

Lopetegui, who has been without a managerial role since departing from Wolves in August, expressed his excitement about joining the club. “I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club,” he stated. “We had other opportunities but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this.”

Earlier in the month, West Ham confirmed Moyes’ departure, ending his second spell at the club. Despite winning the Europa Conference League in 2023, Moyes faced increasing pressure due to poor results, culminating in a ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

Lopetegui will officially assume his role on 1 July, commencing preparations for the upcoming season, including a pre-season tour in the United States for matches against Crystal Palace and Wolves. “I feel that we have a fantastic platform,” Lopetegui remarked. “My ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete.”

The former Spain and Real Madrid coach brings a wealth of experience, having won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020. West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, praised Lopetegui’s tactical acumen and adaptability, emphasizing his positive impact across various leagues and teams.

As Lopetegui embarks on this new chapter, West Ham’s joint chairman, David Sullivan, expressed optimism about the club’s direction under his leadership. “We believe this appointment will ensure a strong opportunity to build on the positive progress made in recent seasons, helping the club to move forward in the direction that aligns with our ambitions.”

In the eyes of many, Lopetegui’s return to the Premier League represents an opportunity to make his mark and guide West Ham to greater heights. With high expectations from fans and stakeholders alike, Lopetegui is expected to hit the ground running and bring his distinctive vision to the club’s footballing philosophy.