LONDON: West Ham United sacked manager Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday after just 22 games in charge, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter expected to replace him at the London Stadium.

The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League table, seven points above the relegation zone, after just six wins in 20 league matches during the Spaniard`s tenure.

A 4-1 hammering at champions Manchester City on Saturday was the final straw for club chiefs.

Lopetegui, 58, took training as usual on Tuesday and reported for work on Wednesday to be officially told his spell in charge was over.

`West Ham United can confirm that head coach Julen Lopetegui has left the club,` the Hammers said in a statement.

`The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the club`s ambitions and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.

West Ham were among the biggest spenders but Lopetegui managed to win just one of his first six league games and oversaw several heavy defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool, at home.-AFP