Official: West Ham confirm Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ successor

Through club official channels, West Ham United have announced that Julen Lopetegui will take over as head coach, succeeding David Moyes, Soccernet.football reports.

The Spaniard has agreed to a two-year contract with an option for a third year.

Moyes departs after four and a half years, leaving at the end of his contract. Lopetegui, previously with Wolves until last August, is set to step in.

Lopetegui, a former manager of Spain and Real Madrid, won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020. He also helped Wolves avoid relegation last season, finishing 13th. He left Wolves due to concerns about their transfer activity.

West Ham will provide Lopetegui with funds to strengthen the squad. The club is in talks to sign Brazil centre-back Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo and winger Wesley Gassova from Corinthians.

The club’s budget may hinge on the potential departure of Lucas Paquetá, who has an £85m release clause and interest from Manchester City. Paquetá’s move depends on the outcome of an FA investigation into alleged betting breaches. Meanwhile, West Ham is determined to retain Ghana attacker Mohammed Kudus.

Lopetegui expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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. We came here with the idea and the thought to make a big, big noise.”

He will officially start on 1 July, bringing five backroom staff with him.

Lopetegui aims to build on the club’s recent success, saying, “My ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims, to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete. We are very ambitious about this.”