West Ham hierarchy pressure owner to appoint Rubén Amorim instead of Julen Lopetegui in important statement of intent

Members of the West Ham hierarchy are still trying to convince David Sullivan to make an ambitious coup by appointing Ruben Amorim as manager, talkSPORT understands.

Sullivan is in Advanced talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopeteguias he looks to replace David Moyes as manager after four and a half years in the London Stadium dugout.

But western ham Legend Mark Noble and technical director Tim Steidten believe hiring Sporting Lisbon head coach Amorim would be an important statement of intent.

Amorim, who has a release clause of more than £10m, He flew in to chat to Hammers owner Sullivan. last month.

Those talks sparked a violent reaction in Portugal, with Amorim later apologized to Sporting and the fans. for agreeing to reunite with the London club while his current team is still fighting Benfica for the Primeira Liga title.

However, despite appearing reluctant to move to West Ham and links to replacement Jurgen Klopp in LiverpoolThe 39-year-old is believed to remain interested in a move to the Premier League.

The £10m price tag appears to be a barrier for Sullivan, with Lopetegui seen as a more affordable option as he is free and has been out of work since leaving Wolves in August 2023.

The Spaniard would also bring with him a wealth of experience at the highest level acquired in previous seasons leading the Spanish team, LaLiga giants. real Madrid and his success in the Europa League in charge of Sevilla.

Amorim would represent a bigger risk, but as one of the sport's most highly-rated young managers, his appointment would also be a big statement for West Ham as they look to build on last season's Europa Conference League victory and their run to Europa League this season. quarter finals.

Moyes, meanwhile, has made it clear that he is not entirely happy about the club openly courting his replacement while he is still in the job.

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The experienced Scottish manager's contract in east London expires in the summer and he looks certain to be out when it ends.

But he insists that he and his players do not allow themselves to be distracted by the continuing rumors about their future as they battle for another campaign in Europe.

West Ham currently sit ninth in the Premier League standings, but are just five points behind sixth place. manchester united.

“Tim (Steidten) has his job to do, but coaches have their limits,” Moyes said on Friday ahead of Sunday's clash against Chelsea.

“We don't want any distractions, we'll keep our eyes on the ball. Tim has his job to do, I have my job to do. We have three games to play, so we want to stay focused.” in those games.

“The most important thing for me is to keep the players focused. I don't want anything to distract them. Any coach in any club situation will distract the players in some way. They've been really good.

“We are only a few weeks away from the end of the season and we have made it very clear for a long time that there will be a decision at the end of the season and we are not going to run away from that.

“We're doing our job. My job is to win the games and do everything I can to do that.”

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Moyes has insisted he would still be interested in continuing, if the club asked him to, and when asked if he was still keen to have more success, he said: “Absolutely!

“Hungry for football? I'm a little embarrassed that you asked me that question… for you, because I'm a football fan.

“I love football, I go to matches, I watch matches. I love it, really. That's why I have a great hunger for football.”

Asked whether or not that hunger extends specifically to West Ham, Moyes replied: “Absolutely, yes.”

When asked further about his future, he added: “I told everyone that we will make a decision at the end of the season.”