WEST HAM have confirmed boss David Moyes will leave in the summer – with Julen Lopetegui already geared up to replace him.
Ex-Wolves chief Lopetegui has reportedly agreed terms after snubbing Bayern Munich.
Moyes apologised after his side were thumped 5-0 at Chelsea on Sunday, a huge blow to the Hammers‘ hopes of qualifying for Europe.
And in a statement 24 hours later, the club’s joint-chairman David Sullivan said: “On behalf of everyone at West Ham United, I would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to David for the contribution he has made to the Football Club during his time as manager.
“David has been responsible for a period of great progress and success in our history, and we are extremely grateful for all of his hard work, commitment and dedication to the role.
“David has been an absolute professional to work with and he will leave with our greatest respect and good wishes – he deserves to be held in the highest esteem for the service he has given to West Ham United, and we wish him every success in the future.
“By making this announcement now, it allows David to get the send-off he deserves from the West Ham supporters and for us all to show our appreciation to him at our final home fixture of the season against Luton Town on Saturday.”
However, West Ham are now five points off Mauricio Pochettino’s seventh-place Chelsea, having played a game more.
Now Moyes’ second spell in charge will finish at the end of the season, just a year after his Europa League Conference triumph.
The announcement comes amid suggestions ex-Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui has accepted terms to join the Hammers.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Those numbers in full:
Former Manchester United and Everton boss Moyes initially joined the Hammers in November 2017 but was let go at the end of the season.
He then returned in 2019 following Manuel Pellegrini’s exit.
And Moyes’ arrival sparked an on-pitch revival, culminating in last season’s historic Europa Conference League win.
However, the results have not been matched this term, with West Ham winning just 13 of their 36 Premier League games.
They were also KO’d from the Europa League by Bayer Leverkusen last month.
West Ham, who will let Moyes go when his contract expires, are now hunting for a boss who can get the best out of exciting talents like Jarrod Bowen, Mohamed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta.
And they appear to have landed on Lopetegui despite fan protests against the move.
Hammers supporters were keen on Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim.
However, he has now confirmed he will be staying in Portugal next season.
He said: “I’m staying at Sporting. I’m under contract and it’s a special moment for me, for the club.
“Now we will try to win the third title together. Let’s try to make it happen.”
