West Ham confirm David Moyes departure as Julen Lopetegui deal nears completion
- West Ham confirm Moyes future
- Contract up at the end of season
- Julen Lopetegui set to arrive
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WHAT HAPPENED?
After speculation about Moyes’ future earlier in the day, the Hammers issued a club statement on Monday evening clarifying his impending departure at the end of his the season after four and a half years in charge. Former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is widely believed to be West Ham’s chosen replacement, although the club has confirmed only that “the recruitment process for David’s successor has begun”.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Moyes said in February that he had been offered a new contract by West Ham but was choosing to wait until the end of the season whether to accept it. It seems that no agreement was reached, leading to this parting of ways. Despite delivering the Europa Conference League trophy last season and taking the Hammers to the Europa League semi-finals a year earlier, some fans have made their feelings clear with a ‘Moyes Out’ banner in recent months.
WHAT MOYES SAID
Moyes said as part of the statement: “I have enjoyed four and a half brilliant years at West Ham, and the club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019.
“When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club was one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe. After leading the club to safety, we guided the team to finishes of 6th and 7th in the Premier League, and I was delighted when we won the Europa Conference League title last June – the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.
“I would like to thank all the players for their support, and all the success they have achieved, over the last four and a half years. I have really enjoyed working with everyone at West Ham, and I would like to thank the board for giving me the opportunity to manage this great club. I wish my eventual successor, the directors, the players, the staff, the fans, and everybody at West Ham, all the very best for the future.”
WHAT NEXT FOR WEST HAM?
West Ham will finish the season with fixtures against Luton and Manchester City, with the clash with the former at the London Stadium on May 11 to be Moyes’ last game in charge. The ninth place Hammers are seeking to hold onto a top half finish amid pressure from Bournemouth, Brighton and Wolves below them.
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