Julen Lopetegui has been named West Ham’s next head coach.

Lopetegui succeeds David Moyes, who left his position at the London Stadium “by mutual consent” after his contract expired at the end of the Premier League season.

The 57-year-old will collaborate closely with technical director Tim Steidten, who will have greater authority over the recruitment. Moyes was reappointed in 2019 on a condition that he have a large influence in recruitment and transfers.

However, with Steidten’s hiring last summer, West Ham is shifting to a more European-focused approach.

“I feel that we have a fantastic platform,” Lopetegui stated.

“I think the last few years have been very nice to have this base, of course, but my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to reach more and bigger goals, to motivate and improve the players, the squad, and to compete, because that is what football is all about. We are quite ambitious about this.

Julen Lopetegui has been confirmed as the new West Ham manager, succeeding David Moyes

Lopetegui, who formerly led Spain, Porto, Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Wolves, will formally join the club on July 1. He has been out of work since his departure from Molineux on the eve of the 2023/24 season.

Steidten stated: “We are glad to welcome Julen and his staff to our club. He was a strong candidate for our head coach role, and I am grateful that we have decided to collaborate. His history demonstrates that wherever he has coached, he has improved individuals and teams, and we are excited to have him work with our team.

Julien lives and breathes football. He thinks deeply about the game, is tactically clever. He has demonstrated his ability to adjust to working in new leagues, countries, and with national teams, displaying excellent qualities in each setting.

Julen has extensive expertise in the way we will currently work at West Ham United. I am excited to collaborate with him to build a prosperous future for the club.”