West Ham could soon contact title-winning manager's 'ambitious' new target

West Ham United could soon make contact with a new managerial target titled as president David Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten are added to the club's shortlist of potential replacements for Julen Lopetegui.

Julen Lopetegui 'fighting to save' West Ham job

Lopetegui has been under fire for weeks, but recent drubbings against Arsenal and Leicester City have put even more pressure on the 58-year-old, who is now “fighting to save his job” (David Orstein).

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Julen Lopetegui is one game away from the sack.

West Ham held internal discussions over Lopetegui's future this week, and have spoken to numerous managers about the possibility of succeeding the Spaniard, who guided the Hammers to just 4 wins from a possible 12 in the Premier League.

A reliable club insider ExWHUemployee wrote in a recent update that some of these discussions with future head coaches haven't gone exactly as planned, and Lopetegui will be in charge of the Wolves' game on Monday.

West Ham, for their part, will continue to explore options for who could take Lopetegui's place if they do indeed decide to part ways.

“Discussions with some other managers have not gone as well as expected today, with some of them not in favor of a short-term deal,” said Ex (via Patreon).

“At this stage, as we suggested from the start, it appears that Lopetegui, after training today, will be given a reprieve for the Wolves game while other targets will be contacted at case where he does not obtain the right series of results necessary to keep his job.

“The board has decided in favor of retaining it for the time being. Other targets will be continually explored.”

The Telegraph recently reported that West Ham looking to offer six-month contract to potential new managerthen make an informed decision about whether they will stay with them at the end of the season.

This will naturally put off a number of tacticians, but some believe the former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter is leading candidate to replace Lopetegui at West Ham.

However, according to journalist Rudy Galetti, writing for TEAMtalk, it is believed that the boss of Al-Ahli Matthias Jaissle is an emerging candidate for the position.

The Saudi Pro League boss, a former title winner at RB Salzburg, is out of contract in 2026 and is enjoying a fairly solid stint in the Middle East.

Jaissle has been called a “wunderkind” manager aged just 36 and has been compared to the former Bayern Munich boss Julien Nagelsmannwith the former Brondby assistant known for being possession-centric in his approach to games.

Sullivan and Steidten are taking note of his potential, as it is now believed that West Ham could soon make contact with Jaissle as a candidate to succeed Lopetegui.

The German was also described as “ambitious” and “exceptional” by Bayern's sporting director. Christopher Freundwho worked with him in Salzburg.

“Matthias’ qualities speak for themselves” » said Freund after Jaissle's appointment to Salzburg. “I have known him for a few years now. He is young, ambitious and suits our club very well.

“The way he works and develops young players is exceptional. So he was our ideal candidate. He's not a big name yet, but we want to give young players and young coaches a chance.”