WEST HAM have held talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui over succeeding David Moyes.
The Hammers are stepping up planning ahead of the summer when Moyes, 60, is out of contract and expected to leave.
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, who has also been linked with Liverpool, was in London on Monday night for talks with the East London club.
But the Portuguese chief has not made a decision over whether to continue speaking to West Ham.
Hammers chairman David Sullivan is also yet to make a final decision over whether or not to offer Moyes a new deal.
The club were ready to agree a two-and-a-half year extension with Moyes after a good run of form in December, but a dip in January led to talks being shelved.
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A final decision is unlikely to be made until after the end of the season.
With Moyes out of contract, director of football Tim Steidten has been exploring their options.
Amorim and Spaniard Lopetegui are the front-runners, though the former has options across Europe and the club would also have to pay a significant release clause to Sporting.
Lopetegui, however, has not worked since leaving Wolves days before the start of the season and would also bring fewer coaches with him to Stratford.
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Lille manager Paulo Fonseca, who has been interviewed by West Ham in the past, is a potential candidate and is out of contract himself this summer.
Former Germany and Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has also been a guest of the club at the London Stadium this season.
Lopetegui has attended a Hammers game too, while he was also spotted at a Crystal Palace match earlier this season as he looks to return to managing in England.
West Ham sit a healthy eighth in the Premier League.
And the Eagles entered Wednesday’s home clash with Newcastle 11 points clear of danger in 14th place.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
