West Ham close to agreeing deal for David Moyes replacement

West Ham are in early talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, talkSPORT has learned.

Lopetegui is currently the clear front-runner to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium, and both sides are confident that a deal is imminent.

The Hammers have also spoken with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, who was previously connected with Liverpool.

Last month, talkSPORT reported that Moyes was increasingly likely to depart West Ham at the end of the season.

He is poised to leave after leading them to the Europa Conference League title and top-half league finishes.

According to talkSPORT, Moyes is dissatisfied with the club’s efforts to find potential replacements while he remains employed.

Tim Steidten, the club’s technical director, has promised to avoid the first-team dressing room until the end of the season.

When asked prior of their journey to Chelsea if this was to help keep players and staff focused on their last games, he replied, “Absolutely.

“We don’t want any distractions; we’ll focus on the ball. Tim has a job to accomplish, and I have three games to play, so I want to focus on those.”

Lopetegui, who had a successful tenure at Wolves, will bring Premier League experience to east London.

Following seasons at Real Madrid and Sevilla, the Spaniard joined Molineux in November 2022.

He led Wolves to 13th place in the Premier League, but quit in August after criticizing the club’s lack of summer spending.

Lopetegui has been out of work since, but he could return this summer ahead of the upcoming season.

West Ham now sits ninth in the Premier League, four points behind the top seven, putting their European participation in doubt.

A defeat on Sunday at Chelsea, who lead them by two points with a game in hand, may effectively kill their ambitions of playing on the continent next season.