West Ham hope to have Graham Potter in charge for Friday’s FA Cup clash even though Lopetegui is STILL manager
WEST HAM hope Graham Potter will take charge of their FA Cup game at Aston Villa on Friday night.
Potter has agreed to take over at the London Stadium but the club are still finalising the last details of his appointment.
However, the Hammers are still yet to sack current boss Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui was left once again to take charge of training on Wednesday, despite the club being close to appointing Potter, 49, as his successor.
West Ham cancelled their press conference which was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, ahead of Friday night's third round tie at Villa Park.
Potter is keen to take training on Thursday and be in the dugout for the game, with the postponed press conference also needing to be held.
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Lopetegui is furious with how the week has played out.
On Monday it emerged he had asked technical director Tim Steidten to stay away from the training ground after their relationship broke down.
Chairman David Sullivan has led the search for a new manager, though Steidten was the one to initially approach Potter.
After talks were re-opened this week, vice-chair Karren Brady has taken charge of direct negotiations.
Julen Lopetegui's disastrous reign
By Jack Figg
JULEN LOPETEGUI replaced David Moyes in May 2024 ready to start a new reign at West Ham - now it's over before it even got started.
The former Spain manager arrived in London with the experience of working with big stars - but his reputation in England needed mending.
He won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020 - joining Wolves two years later.
But Lopetegui left after one season having guided Wolves to 13th but walking out over their financial constraints.
Following a year out of work, the ex-Real Madrid player agreed to take over from Moyes - who only 12 months earlier led them to the Europa Conference League trophy.
But Lopetegui got off to a horror start to life in London, going winless in his first four matches.
That is despite spending £123m on signings with the likes of Maximilian Kilman, Niclas Fullkrug and Aaron Wan-Bissaka arriving in the summer.
And Lopetegui's tenure hit an all-time low following a 5-0 loss at home to Liverpool and 4-1 defeat at Man City.
The Hammers board had seen enough and started to draw up potential replacements after deciding to sack Lopetegui.
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As well as finalising Lopetegui's exit, a new coaching staff must be appointed.
The former Wolves manager brought five coaches with him to east London, all of whom are expected to leave.
Potter is looking to initially bring up to four of his own coaching staff with him, while goalkeeping coach, Xavi Valero, is expected to stay.
Valero was the one member of David Moyes' staff to remain in the summer.