Lopetegui replaces David Moyes, who departed his role at the London Stadium “by mutual consent” after his contract expired at the end of the Premier League season.
The 57-year-old will work closely with technical director Tim Steidten – who will have more control over the recruitment. When Moyes was reappointed in 2019, it was under the proviso that he would have a big say in recruitment and transfers.
But with Steidten’s appointment last summer, West Ham are moving towards a more European-based model.
“I feel that we have a fantastic platform,” Lopetegui said.
“I think the last few years have been very good years to have this base, of course, but my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete. We are very ambitious about this.
“I am where I want to be. I am here because I want to be here and for us it was a fantastic day when we closed our agreement here because we our commitment is 100 per cent to be here.
West Ham United is delighted to announce the appointment of Julen Lopeteguias the Club’s new men’s Head Coach.
The former Spain, Porto, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolverhampton Wanderers coach will officially begin work with the Hammers on 1 July.
Lopetegui has put together an impressive coaching CV over the past two decades, leading Sevilla to UEFA Europa League glory and Spain’s U21s and U19s to UEFA European Championship success.
He is widely respected for his clear football philosophy, flexible tactical approach, competitive character and man-management skills.
