The Hammers will be getting a new manager next season as former Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui prepared to take over from David Moyes.
West Ham United appointed Moyes to their dugout after an ill-fated stint at Manchester United and Sunderland. He first took over the club in 2017 to help them escape relegation before returning in 2019 to do the same thing.
He ended up staying for much longer and established the East London club as one that can compete for European places every season which meant their moving up the hierarchy from their usual mid-table places.
Moyes also won the club their first-ever European title in the 2022/23 season, when he took the club to the final of the UEFA European Conference League and won it against Italian side Fiorentina. Before that, he took them to the semis of the UEFA Europa League. In the ongoing season, he took them to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
However, he was able to maintain the same level in their league campaign and the Hammers have now returned to being a mid-table club. It represents a regression in their football and is not a good sight, especially with Oliver Glasner’s impact at another mid-table club, Crystal Palace and the rise of Newcastle United and Aston Villa to prominence.
Talks were ongoing about giving him a new contract after his current one expired at the end of the season but following a poor outing in 2024, the club has decided not to move forward with the 61-year-old.
A statement on their website reads: “West Ham United can confirm David Moyes will leave the Club by mutual consent at the end of the 2023/24 season, when his contract expires.”
“David will depart after four and a half years in charge at London Stadium, during which time he secured two top-seven Premier League finishes, runs to the UEFA Europa League semi and quarter-finals, and victory in last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, with a 2-1 win over ACF Fiorentina in Prague securing West Ham’s first major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 1980, and their first European success since 1965.”
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.”
Moyes, in his farewell speech, said: “I have enjoyed four and a half brilliant years at West Ham, and the Club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019. I would like to thank all the players for their support, and all the success they have achieved, over the last four and a half years.”
“I have really enjoyed working with everyone at West Ham, and I would like to thank the Board for giving me the opportunity to manage this great club. I wish my eventual successor, the Directors, the players, the staff, the fans, and everybody at West Ham, all the very best for the future.”
The choice of Lopetegui as Moyes’ replacement was confirmed by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano via his X (formerly Twitter) page. “Julen Lopetegui has agreed terms with West Ham to become new head coach replacing David Moyes from next season,” Romano wrote.
“Lopetegui has accepted West Ham’s proposal and is ready to proceed to formal stages. Details being finalised then contracts will be signed but agreement in place.”
