Julen Lopetegui is expected to sign contract with West Ham today, but announcement could be delayed

Julen Lopetegui is expected to sign his West Ham contract today, talkSPORT understands.

Lopetegui He is believed to have agreed to an initial two-year deal after beating off competition from Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.

The Hammers could delay the formal announcement of his appointment out of respect for the outgoing David Moyes.

Former wolves and real Madrid Coach Lopetegui was also on the radar of AC Milan and Bayern Munich.

However, after reach a verbal agreement Earlier this week, it appears his move to the London Stadium will be confirmed.

West Ham owner David Sullivan He is said to have personally led the search for the Spaniard to replace Moyes.

And that despite sporting director Tim Steidten and the club legend. Mark Noble It is believed that he had preferred Amorim as his successor.

On Monday it was announced that Moyes would leave the club after four and a half years in office.

And in that statement, the Hammers said they would “make no further comment until a new appointment is confirmed.”

That confirmation could come soon as Lopetegui is finalizing the final details of his new contract.

2

Lopetegui returns to the Premier League almost a year after leaving his job at Wolves before the start of this season.

He has been out of work since leaving the West Midlands but West Ham believe he is the right man for the job.

The same cannot be said for the former Hammers player. Scott Minto who has their doubts about the manager.

Minto told talkSPORT: “I have to be honest with you, I'm not too enamored of the decision, if that will be the decision.

“I've said this a few times on talkSPORT, I don't like talking about managers when David Moyes (is still there) and look, whatever you think about his style of play, I've watched a lot of West Ham. This season I really have. and fans talk about the style of play.

“If you look at the Arsenal game, it's a good example because you faced Arsenal, but from minute one, it was like sitting playing at home.

“That's not what the fans want to see, they want to see you try.

“But, if you look at Lopetegui, he is very well organized and very well structured, but he is not the anti-David Moyes that the fans are looking for.”