West Ham next manager search progresses with 'last few hours' update

West Ham have contacted two former Premier League managers Graham Potter and Julen Lopetegui in the 'last few hours' as the club tries to prepare to replace David Moyes.

The veteran Hammers boss may not be sacked by the club despite an increasingly fraught relationship but the Scotsman's contract at the club is set to expire at the end of the campaign. That would leave the outfit needing to find a new appointment sooner rather than later in any case.

Weekend Sports editor Sebastien Vidal reports that West Ham have contacted both Potter and Lopetegui in recent hours to sound out their interest in the position. He wrote: "Graham Potter and Lopetegui have been contacted over the last few hours by West Ham. Contact has been made to sound out the two coaches. The club wants to anticipate and get work underway in case David Moyes leaves in the coming weeks."

Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Potter has been out of work since leaving the Blues last year and is a regular candidate when it comes to vacant Premier League jobs. Lopetegui has also not worked since his departure from Wolves last year due to the club's financial situation and has history with Sevilla, Porto and the Spanish national side.

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Moyes led West Ham to a historic Europa Conference League title last summer but mixed results this season have seen that euphoric finish to the last campaign turn frosty. The Hammers still sit 9th in the Premier League but have lost their last three league outings.

The Mirror reports that West Ham have 'no plans' to sack Moyes, despite rumours and 'Moyes Out' banners unfurled by supporters in the 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. The former Everton and Manchester United manager is yet to sign a new contract with the club.

Speaking about the situation, Moyes said: "Maybe they've had managers who excite them more, possibly, but the one who's sitting here wins more. I'm really disappointed that we didn't win today and I'm really disappointed with a couple of results. But you mustn't forget the good results, you mustn't forget the wins even this season. We're sitting in a strong position [ninth in the table], last season we were sitting near the bottom.

"It was only three years ago that we were Nottingham Forest and fighting relegation. We've moved on a long way from there. I thought the players responded incredibly well, they showed character, a lot of courage at different times of the game. It was a tight Premier League game. We played well going through the thirds and it was in the final third where we struggled and made poor decisions in poor opportunities to score goals. The players did a great job."