West Ham hierarchy push owner to appoint Ruben Amorim over Julen Lopetegui in major statement of intent

Members of the West Ham hierarchy are still trying to convince David Sullivan to carry out an ambitious coup by appointing Ruben Amorim as manager, talkSPORT understands.

Sullivan is in advanced talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui as he looks to replace David Moyes as manager after four-and-a-half years back in the hot seat at the London Stadium.

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But West Ham legend Mark Noble and technical director Tim Steidten believe hiring Sporting Lisbon head coach Amorim would send a major statement of intent.

Amorim, who has a release clause of more than £10 million, flew in for talks with Hammers owner Sullivan last month.

Those discussions led to a backlash in Portugal, with Amorim later apologizing to Sporting and supporters for agreeing to meet the London club while his current side are still battling Benfica for the Primeira Liga title.

However, despite appearing to oppose his move to West Ham and links to replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, the 39-year-old is believed to remain keen on joining the Premier League.

The £10million price tag appears to be an obstacle for Sullivan, with Lopetegui seen as a more affordable option, being on free agency, having not held a job since leaving Wolves in August 2023.

The Spaniard would also bring with him plenty of experience at the highest level from his previous stints in charge of the Spanish national team, La Liga giants Real Madrid, and his Europa League success in charge. from Seville.

Amorim would pose a bigger risk, but as one of the game’s highest-rated young managers, his appointment would also be a huge statement for West Ham as they look to build on last season’s victory in Europa League and on the race for the Europa League this season. quarter-finals.

Moyes, meanwhile, has made it clear he is not entirely happy with the club openly courting his replacement while he is still in the job.

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The experienced Scottish manager’s contract in east London expires this summer and it seems certain he will be out at the end.

But he insists he and his players are not being distracted by rumors about his future as they fight for another campaign in Europe.

West Ham currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, but are just five points behind sixth-placed Manchester United.

“Tim (Steidten) has his job to do but managers have their limits,” Moyes said on Friday ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.

“We don’t want any distractions, we’ll keep our eye on the ball. Tim has his job to do, I have my job to do. We have three games to play, so we want to stay focused on these games.

“The most important thing for me is to keep the players focused. I don’t want anything to distract the players. Any manager, in any club situation, will distract the players in a way or another. They were really good.

“We only have a few weeks left before the end of the season and we have made it very clear for a long time that there will be a decision at the end of the season and we will not escape it.

“We go about our business. My job is to win the games and do everything I can to do that.”

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Moyes insisted he would still be interested in continuing, if the club asked him. And when asked if he still had the appetite for more success, he replied: “Absolutely!

“Hungry for football? I’m a little embarrassed that you asked me this question – for you, because I’m a football fan.

“I love my football, I go to the games, I watch the games. I love it, I really do. So I have a big hunger for football.”

Asked if that hunger extended specifically to West Ham, Moyes replied: “Absolutely, yes.”

Asked about his future, he added: “I told everyone we would make a decision at the end of the season.”