Julen Lopetegui wants to take over as manager of West Ham United after being rejected by Crystal Palace, according to Football Insider.
The former Wolves manager is reported to be ready to return to the Premier League and seek a position with a top-10 English club.
According to Football Insider, the Spaniard is “keen” to move to the London Stadium, which puts tremendous pressure on current manager David Moyes.
Lopetegui declined a chance to replace Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, but would return to manager if the Irons gave him the position.
The 57-year-old left Wolves shortly before the start of the current season, and was replaced by Gary O’Neil, whose 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday (17 February) lifted them to 11th position in the table.
According to Football Insider (18 February), West Ham have been developing contingency plans in case Moyes is forced to go, and they have a list of potential replacements.
The Scotsman, who has yet to win a game in any competition this season, has been under intense scrutiny as the Hammers’ form has deteriorated.
Scrutiny increased following the club’s 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17 February), with a large portion of the crowd demanding his immediate dismissal.
Lopetegui, who formerly played for Porto, Real Madrid, and Sevilla before joining Wolves, is also allegedly on AC Milan’s shortlist to succeed Stefano Pioli.
West Ham sit eighth in the Premier League after losing to Forest on Saturday afternoon.
They play Brentford at home next week (February 26).
In other news, West Ham are looking for the ‘next Unai Emery’ as the board prepares a shortlist, according to sources.
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