West Ham United have released a statement confirming that Julen Lopetegui has been relieved of his duties as manager.
The 58-year-old only arrived at the London Stadium in July last year following the Hammers' decision to part ways with David Moyes at the end of last season.
West Ham's hierarchy hoped that Lopetegui could steer the club towards a return to Europe after spending over £120m on nine new players last summer, but the former Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss failed make the desired impact.
Lopetegui departs West Ham after winning six, drawing five and losing nine of his 20 Premier League games in charge of the club, leaving them languishing in 14th place in the table and 10 points behind the top seven.
The Spaniard was allegedly close to the sack at the beginning of December, with members of West Ham's board said to have been split over whether to axe him following a 3-1 defeat at Leicester City.
Lopetegui lived to fight another day after overseeing a much-needed 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves in his next match, but he then went on to win only one of his next five games, with a heavy 5-0 home defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool followed by a 4-1 loss at Manchester City last weekend.
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Lopetegui sacked: 'Process is underway' for West Ham to appoint new manager
The dismissal of Lopetegui and his backroom staff comes after reports surfaced earlier this week suggesting that he was once again in danger of losing his job.
West Ham have confirmed their decision just a few hours after it was revealed that Lopetegui's scheduled press conference a 1.15pm today (Wednesday) - ahead of Friday's FA Cup third-round trip to Aston Villa - had been cancelled, with the Spaniard instead taking charge of what proved to be his final first-team training session.
"West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club," a statement on the club's official website read.
"The first half of the 2024-25 season has not aligned with the club's ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.
"The club can confirm that assistant head coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba and Technical Coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect.
"The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future.
"The process of appointing a replacement is underway.
"The club will be making no further comment at this time."
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Potter poised to become new West Ham manager
It is understood that former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is poised to replace Lopetegui and is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract as the new West Ham manager, after holding further positive talks.
Confirmation of Potter's arrival is said to be imminent and could be announced within the next 24 hours, although it remains uncertain as to whether the 49-year-old would be ready to take charge of his first game at Aston Villa on Friday.
Should Potter not be in the dugout for West Ham's trip to Villa Park, he may take charge of his first Premier League match as Hammers boss against Fulham at the London Stadium next Tuesday.
Potter has been out of work since April 2023 when he was sacked by Chelsea after less than seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.
He previously spent three seasons in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion, guiding the Seagulls to 15th, 16th and ninth-placed finishes in the Premier League.
Everton have also been credited with an interest in Potter, as their new owners - the Friedkin Group - are allegedly assessing the future of current manager Sean Dyche, but it seems that West Ham are in the driving seat to secure the services of the Solihull-born boss.
Oliver Thomas
