West Ham cancel Julen Lopetegui press conference as Graham Potter prepares for work

Graham Potter is close to being named West Ham boss.

West Ham have canceled their planned press conference with Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday morning as they prepare to confirm the Spaniard's departure.

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Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Potter is very close to signing a deal that will allow him to succeed Lopetegui on the Hammers bench.

A breakthrough in negotiations means Potter is expected to join imminently in an initial six-month deal that could be extended to two-and-a-half years assuming he hits certain targets.

And their first task could be a tough one when West Ham take on Aston Villa Park in an FA Cup third round match on Friday night, live on talkSPORT.

talkSPORT revealed on Monday that West Ham had made the decision to offload Lopetegui and had entered into negotiations with Potter.

Even though Lopetegui knew he was leaving the club, he arrived on Tuesday to train with the team.

But West Ham canceled a press conference scheduled for Wednesday morning at which they were due to preview Friday's FA Cup third-round match at Aston Villa as they prepare to make an official announcement.

Lopetegui arrived in the summer as David Moyes' successor, but is quickly leaving the club 14th in the Premier League.

They have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks amid their poor form, with just six wins in 20 league games.

They have now paid the price for back-to-back tough defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City over the Christmas period.

Potter is set to replace him after positive talks and make his long-awaited return to management, having been out of a job since leaving Stamford Bridge in April 2023 following a successful season at Brighton.

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Sporting director Tim Steidten also faces an uncertain future at West Ham. This comes as it emerged that Steidten will stay away from the training ground following a breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui.

West Ham spent around £130m on nine new players in the close season but lost nine of their 20 top-flight games this season.

Speaking to talkSPORT about Lopetegui when it was revealed he was facing the sack, West Ham legend Tony Cottee said of club bosses: “They should hang their heads in shame.

“Tim Steidten, the board, is a pathetic appointment in the first place and I can't believe what they do sometimes. West Ham is my club but it was the wrong appointment.

“Yes, you can blame Lopetegui… But Tim Steidten is the director of football, David Sullivan is in charge of the club. They have to take responsibility, they can't keep making these stupid mistakes.

“If you get rid of one of West Ham's most successful managers in terms of trophies then you have to make the right appointment.”

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A four-match unbeaten run, including two wins, over the festive period had sparked a sense of recovery.

But the Hammers have tasted consecutive defeats in the Premier League, with a 4-1 defeat at City following a 5-0 thrashing of Liverpool at home.

Although West Ham remain seven points above the relegation zone, the club's hierarchy made the decision on Monday to make a change.

A push for European qualification during the second half of the season appears to be an unlikely prospect for now.

It would lead to a second consecutive campaign without continental football just two years after winning the UEFA Conference League.

West Ham's chances of success heading into the summer have also taken a huge hit amid Jarrod Bowen. recent injury.

The club captain was substituted in the home defeat to Liverpool and suffered a broken foot.

Bowen will miss six to eight weeks, potentially ruling him out until early March.

West Ham take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday night, live on talkSPORT.

They will then return to Premier League action on January 14 at home to Fulham, followed by another London derby against Crystal Palace.