A club insider has revealed the truth on fresh Julen Lopetegui claims as the lid is lifted on his West Ham connection.
It is being reported that David Sullivan has a preferred choice to take over as manager at West Ham.
And that man is Julen Lopetegui.
David Moyes is looking all but certain to leave the Hammers when his contract expires in the summer.
That much has been made clear by West Ham’s sudden activity in lining up a potential replacement.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim flew in for talks but less than 24 hours later was already ruled out.
Meanwhile the Hammers are being linked with a plethora of managers to succeed their current incumbent.
Former Wolves boss Lopetegui has featured prominently among reported “shortlists” since January.
Lopetegui emerges as Sullivan’s choice for West Ham
Although judging by the number of names being linked, West Ham’s list is anything but “short”.
Lopetegui’s name has re-emerged over the weekend, either side of the sudden Amorim excitement.
His is name dividing West Ham fans, many of whom are totally unconvinced he is the attack-minded, innovative coach they crave.
The Guardian claims West Ham have held “productive talks” with Lopetegui, who has been out of work since walking out on Wolves back in August.
The former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla manager is said to have kept his house in the UK in the hope of landing another job in the Premier League.
According to that report, Hammers majority owner Sullivan is keen to give him just that.
It has been claimed elsewhere that West Ham are ‘one step away’ from appointing Lopetegui.
Truth on Lopetegui claims from club insider
Now the truth on those fresh Lopetegui claims has been shared by a club insider as the lid is lifted on his West Ham connection.
Sean Whetstone, who counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady among his boardroom contacts, says his club sources have denied the Guardian’s claim there have been talks with Lopetegui.
He says his source has also poured cold water on reports in the Italian media that Lopetegui is “one step away” from joining the Hammers.
Whetstone has, though, pointed out a connection between Lopetegui and West Ham in the shape of his former assistant at Wolves.
“Club sources insist Julen Lopetegui is NOT one step away from being appointed West Ham manager this summer as claimed by the Italian media and say there have been NO talks with the former Real Madrid manager,” Whetstone said.
“Lopetegui’s assistant manager Edu Rubio does have a West Ham connection having been an assistant manager under Paul Konchesky at West Ham women in 2022 before joining Lopetegui at Wolves.”
Many West Ham fans will be mightily relieved to hear this is not a done deal.
That’s not to say it won’t be in time.
The Guardian did also claim some inside the Hammers boardroom are unsure over Lopetegui.
And a top Wolves expert has told Hammers News that they are right to have reservations about hiring Lopetegui.