West Ham poised to sack Lopetegui after agreeing longer contract for Potter

West Ham are poised to sack Julen Lopetegui after talks progressed positively with Graham Potter, who is close to agreeing a two-and-a-half-year contract to take over as the club’s manager. A lunchtime press conference with Lopetegui was cancelled on Wednesday morning and, barring an unexpected hiccup, Potter will replace him before Friday’s FA Cup tie at Aston Villa.

The process stalled on Tuesday because West Ham’s preference was for Potter to take over until the end of the season, whereas the former Brighton and Chelsea manager was pushing for a longer deal.

West Ham have agreed in principle to Potter’s demand for a contract to 2027 and although a deal has not been sealed the way is clear for him to return to coaching for the first time since he left Chelsea after seven months in April 2023.

Lopetegui is understood to have attended work as usual on Wednesday morning as he awaits confirmation of his departure. He took training on Tuesday despite knowing West Ham had decided to sack him but cancelled a team meal scheduled for Tuesday night.

The Spaniard has taken charge of 20 league games and two Carabao Cup ties since replacing David Moyes. He was close to losing his job last month – at which point West Ham had discussions with Potter – but a four-match unbeaten run, including wins against Wolves and Southampton, gave him a short-term reprieve.

Two heavy defeats, 5-0 at home to Liverpool and 4-1 at Manchester City, sealed his fate. West Ham, seven points above the relegation zone, have home league games against Fulham and Crystal Palace next week.