West Ham United's management target will be snapped up by the European giants

Reports from The Guardian suggest that Julen Lopetegui is on the verge of becoming the new AC Milan manager, despite holding talks with West Ham United over the possibility of replacing David Moyes.

The Spanish tactician, who played for Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolves, has held discussions with both clubs, but it seems that his interest lies in Serie A.

The Guardian website recently revealed that Lopetegui's talks with West Ham, particularly with club chairman David Sullivan, were closely watched. However, his heart seems to be set on taking over at the San Siro, where Stefano Pioli is said to be on his way out.

Although the Hammers are eager to find a new manager before parting ways with David Moyes, they have found themselves facing obstacles in their pursuit. Lopetegui's interest in AC Milan, coupled with differing opinions among West Ham board members about his suitability to take part, appears to have put him out of contention for the job.

West Ham United are fighting to replace David Moyes

This follows West Ham's recent public pursuit of Ruben Amorim, who ultimately refused compensation, leaving them scrambling for alternatives. The public nature of their executive search, combined with their inability to defend their core goals, has drawn criticism, with experts labeling their approach “disrespectful.”

Furthermore, the delay in appointing Moyes' successor risks alienating other potential candidates, with managers such as Paulo Fonseca attracting interest from other clubs, such as Marseille. Meanwhile, reported options such as Marco Silva (Fulham manager) and Sebastian Hoeness (Stuttgart) have already been hired elsewhere, leaving West Ham in a precarious situation.