Next West Ham manager: Former Man Utd star and current Serie A boss among favourites to replace Julen Lopetegui

West Ham are expected to sack head coach Julen Lopetegui in the coming hours after a hugely disappointing start to the season. The Hammers are in the bottom half of the table and closer to the bottom three than they are to the European spots despite coming into the campaign with big expectations despite this being a transitional season.

The Hammers are among the worst defences in the Premier League after the halfway mark, conceding nine goals in their last two games., albeit those games were against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Lopetegui was due to have a press conference on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s FA Cup clash with Aston Villa, butt hat press conference has now been cancelled. Lopetegui has also cancelled a team bonding meal, suggesting a decision is imminent in relation to his future.

But who could the Hammers turn to as they look to replace the Spaniard? Among the top favourites is former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter, who has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge on the back of a disastrous reign in 2023. Though, In Potter’s defence, the circumstances were far from ideal in West London.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has also been mentioned, with the former Manchester Untied midfielder having done a good job in the North-East. Boro are currently fifth place in the Championship.

Beyond Carrick, former boss David Moyes has been mentioned as a possibility to return, although that seems unlikely given West Ham felt that relationship run its course. AC Milan boss Sergio Conceicao has been linked, but that seems like an ambitious and expensive appointment, while former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand is also among the top five favourites, currently without a club.

As for Lopetegui, he will now have to pick up the pieces on another forgettable spell having also underwhelmed at Wolves. Three of the Spaniard’s last four jobs have been disappointments, including that brief spell at Real Madrid, and so he will have to do some soul searching as he looks to find his next challenge.