Kasper Hjulmand and Roger Schmidt are among the names West Ham United are considering to replace Julen Lopetegui as manager.
Lopetegui’s future at the club is in doubt following a disappointing start to the season, with defeat at newly-promoted Leicester City on Tuesday the latest setback.
The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League despite investing more than £130m on new signings in the summer. A decision will be made on Lopetegui’s future before the weekend, ahead of Monday’s clash with Wolves at the London Stadium.
Lopetegui was named West Ham manager in the summer, taking the reins from David Moyes after the latter’s contract was not renewed. It has been a disastrous start to his tenure, however, with the future of the ex-Real Madrid and Spain boss in jeopardy. Sky Sports are reporting the West Ham board are ‘split’ over whether to sack the Spaniard.
Sky Sports are also reporting that Hjulmand and Schmidt are among the names under consideration to replace Lopetegui.
Hjulmand is without a role after leaving his position in charge of the Denmark national team after Euro 2024. The 52-year-old, who led Denmark to the semi-finals at Euro 2020, is looking for an opportunity in club football, though has not managed at club level since 2019.
Roger Schmidt is also an option for the Irons. The German was sacked after two seasons in charge at Benfica in August. During his time with the Portuguese side, he led Benfica to the 2022/23 Primeira Liga title. He also oversaw consecutive runs to the Champions League quarter-finals, the first time a Portuguese side has reached the late in successive seasons in the UCL era.
