Via Graeme Bailey
West Ham United chairman David Sullivan met with Julen Lopetegui last week and was impressed by the former Wolves boss ahead of a potential return to the Premier League for the Spaniard.
HITC understands that West Ham, who we reported earlier in the week had been ‘inundated’ with potential David Moyes replacements, have now held talks with another of those candidates.
Julen Lopetegui, the one-time Real Madrid, FC Porto, Sevilla and Spanish national team head coach, remains out of work nearly a year after walking away from Molineux due to concerns over Wolverhampton Wanderers’ transfer activity.
And we have been told that Sullivan held talks with Lopetegui last week. The West Ham chief, who appears to be at the forefront of any decision over a change in the dugout despite the influence of director Tim Steitden, was impressed by what he heard from the unattached 57-year-old.
Lopetegui is just one of a number of options, however, though he does appear distinctly more likely than some of the club’s other candidates. The experienced tactician may be keen on another stab at English football, having saved Wolves from relegation during his short-lived spell in the Black Country.
West Ham open Julen Lopetegui talks
Ruben Amorim flew in for discussions alongside his agent in midweek but it would be a major surprise at this stage if the Sporting Lisbon boss, also on the radar of Chelsea, ended up taking over from Moyes. West Ham are also admirers of Arne Slot, but the Feyenoord chief appaers to be on his way to Liverpool instead.
“The only thing I can say about it is that the clubs are in negotiations,” Slot told ESPN on Thursday. “And then you sit in the waiting room and wait for what will come out. It seems clear to me that I would like to go to Liverpool.
“Now I am waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I have every confidence in that.
“The clubs have to do their job and then I am waiting. And, as the ‘main character’, I have to respect that. It will undoubtedly become clear in the coming days. It’s no secret that I want to go to Liverpool.”
Arne Slot admits interest in Liverpool move
HITC understands West Ham are also keen on Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough’s one-time Hammers midfielder Michael Carrick. A lack of top-level experience remains a concern, however, while neither Wolves nor Fulham are in any rush to part company with Gary O’Neil or Marco Silva.
One name to keep an eye on, however, is that of Paulo Fonseca.
Fonseca’s camp confirmed to us a few days ago that there is indeed interest from the London Stadium in a man who has enhanced his reputation since taking over at Lille, playing a brand of football France legend Thierry Henry labels ‘extraordinary’.
“Paulo is very respected by the leadership at West Ham, and an option to replace David Moyes if and when he leaves,” Fonseca’s representatives said.
“(But) there has been no contact with him. Paulo is focused on Lille until the end of the season.”