57-year-old Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, has been appointed as the new head coach of West Ham.
Lopetegui agreed to a two-year deal with the option for a third, succeeding David Moyes in the role. He had been without a managerial position since his departure from Wolves in August.
Expressing his happiness with the appointment, Lopetegui stated, “I feel very happy to be part of the future of this big club.
We had other opportunities, but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this.”
Earlier this month, West Ham confirmed that David Moyes, who led the team to win the Europa Conference League in 2023, would be leaving at the end of the season. The club finished ninth in the Premier League, missing out on European qualification.
Lopetegui will officially begin his role on July 1, joining the team for pre-season preparations, including a two-week trip to the United States for matches against Crystal Palace and Wolves.
The Spanish coach brings a wealth of experience, having previously managed Spain, Porto, Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Wolves.
He won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020 before his stint at Wolves, where he guided the team to a 13th-place finish.
West Ham’s joint chairman, David Sullivan, expressed confidence in Lopetegui’s appointment, stating, “We believe this appointment will ensure a strong opportunity to build on the positive progress made in recent seasons, helping the club to move forward in the direction that aligns with our ambitions.”
