LOPETEGUI AGREES TO TAKE OVER AT HAMMERS

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- Malik Ouzia

JULEN LOPETEGUI has agreed a deal to take over as West Ham boss, but the club is expected to delay a formal unveiling until after the final game of the season.

West Ham yesterday confirmed that David Moyes will leave the club by mutual consent when his contract expires at the end of the campaign, bringing an end to his four-and-a-half year spell in charge.

Moyes, who led the club to Europa Conference League glory last term, was close to signing a new deal at the midway point of this season, but a run of just four victories across competitions in 2024 has seen a promising campaign fizzle out.

Both Moyes and the club had long insisted that no firm decision on the Scot's future would be made until the summer. However, it has been clear for weeks that the 61-year-old would be heading for the door and Sunday's humiliating 5-0 defeat at Chelsea, which signalled the end of West Ham's slim European hopes, accelerated plans.

The announcement means West Ham fans will have an opportunity to bid farewell to the manager who ended their 43-year trophy drought when Luton visit on Saturday for the final home game of the season.