West Ham United have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after just six months in charge following a disappointing run of form that has seen the club slip to 14th in the Premier League. The decision comes after a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, which proved to be the tipping point for the Hammers’ board.

The club has already begun discussions with former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter about potentially taking over the role, with Potter seen as the frontrunner among several candidates.

The decision to part ways with Lopetegui marks the end of a short and turbulent tenure, during which the team struggled to find consistent form despite significant summer investment.

Julen Lopetegui was appointed in May 2024 to replace David Moyes, a move initially seen as a bold step towards a more progressive style of football. Lopetegui arrived with an impressive CV, including spells with Spain, Sevilla, and Real Madrid, but was unable to transform West Ham’s fortunes.

The Hammers’ defensive issues persisted throughout his reign, with the team conceding 38 goals in just 20 league matches. West Ham has lost nine of those matches, and their last Premier League victory came in early December.

Despite a £125 million summer investment, including the arrivals of Luis Guilherme, Edson Álvarez, and Mohammed Kudus, performances remained underwhelming. A particularly damaging 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool in December and a 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Leicester City piled on the pressure.

West Ham released a statement confirming the decision:

“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.”

Lopetegui’s backroom staff, including assistant Pablo Sanz, has also departed the club as part of the restructuring process.

West Ham have already initiated talks with Graham Potter, who is widely regarded as the leading candidate to replace Lopetegui. The club is reportedly offering Potter a short-term deal, although discussions remain ongoing regarding the contract length and terms.

Potter, who has been out of work since being dismissed by Chelsea in April 2023, earned praise for his work at Brighton, where he transformed the Seagulls into a competitive Premier League side with a clear tactical identity. However, his time at Chelsea was cut short after just seven months, despite overseeing a record £323 million transfer window.

If appointed, Potter would be tasked with stabilising the club and improving results, with the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa just days away.

Other names linked with the position include former AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca and Christophe Galtier, currently managing Al Duhail in Saudi Arabia. However, sources suggest Potter remains the primary focus for the club’s hierarchy.

Lopetegui’s struggles at West Ham can be traced back to several key issues that persisted throughout his brief reign:

• Defensive Vulnerabilities: West Ham have conceded the third-most goals in the Premier League this season. Defensive frailties were never fully addressed, despite the arrival of reinforcements over the summer.

• Inconsistent Performances: The team’s inability to string together consistent results led to growing frustration among fans. Even when the team performed well in patches, they failed to maintain momentum.

• Poor Squad Balance: Despite significant summer spending, West Ham’s squad lacked balance. The reliance on older players in key positions left gaps in defensive structure, while some of the attacking signings failed to gel.

• Failure to Build on European Success: Under David Moyes, West Ham enjoyed European success, winning the Europa Conference League in 2023. Lopetegui was unable to build on that momentum, with disappointing results in both domestic and European competitions this season.

The club’s statement reflected the need for immediate improvement, emphasizing that results simply did not match the expectations set during the summer.

West Ham now face a critical few weeks as they look to steady the ship. The FA Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa on Friday will be a key test, with the club’s senior coaching staff overseeing preparations in the interim.

If Potter is confirmed as the next manager, he will need to address several pressing issues:

• Defensive Stability: Address the lack of defensive organization that has plagued the team throughout the season.

• Maximizing Attacking Talent: With players like Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, and Mohammed Kudus, Potter will need to create a system that gets the best out of West Ham’s creative talents.

• Transfer Market Decisions: The January window provides an opportunity to bring in defensive reinforcements and potentially offload underperforming players.

• Winning Over Fans: West Ham supporters have grown frustrated with the lack of progress under multiple managers. Potter’s style of play and communication will be key to winning over the fanbase.

West Ham’s decision to part ways with Julen Lopetegui reflects the club’s ambition and the pressure to return to the top half of the Premier League table. His brief spell in charge will be remembered for defensive frailties and inconsistency, despite a significant summer spend.

Graham Potter now appears to be the leading candidate to take charge at the London Stadium. If appointed, he will face the challenge of steadying a struggling side while navigating the pressures of Premier League survival and a demanding fanbase.

With the FA Cup clash on the horizon and the January transfer window open, West Ham must act swiftly to secure their next manager and begin the process of turning their season around.