Julen Lopetegui was fired by West Ham on Wednesday after less than a year in the job and with the Premier League club in danger of being dragged into a relegation fight.
West Ham said the process to find a replacement was underway, with former Chelsea coach Graham Potter reportedly set to take over.
Lopetegui paid the price for a run of just three wins in his last 11 games, with West Ham 14th in the standings and seven points above the drop zone.
“West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the club,” West Ham 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.”
The former Spain and Real Madrid coach replaced David Moyes in May and was expected to drive the club to new heights. But that didn't materialize and recent heavy losses to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City sparked increased speculation about Lopetegui’s position.
Uncertainty grew in recent days and, when West Ham canceled a scheduled news conference with Lopetegui on Wednesday to preview the upcoming FA Cup third round match against Aston Villa, confirmation of his departure was widely anticipated.
Moyes left at the end of his contract last season having led West Ham to ninth in the standings. The previous season, he ended the club’s 43-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa Conference League.
The appointment of Lopetegui, who had previously managed Wolverhampton in England’s top flight, brought with it expectation that he could bring more success to West Ham. But 10 defeats in 22 games in all competitions brought an end to his reign.
Most recently West Ham lost 4-1 to City, having previously been routed 5-0 by Liverpool.
Potter has been out of work since he was fired by Chelsea in 2023 after just seven months in the job. He previously managed Brighton in the Premier League.
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West Ham's manager Julen Lopetegui looks on before the start of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London Stadium in London, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
NEW YORK (AP) — Days after “Wicked” went home from the Golden Globes with a single award for box office achievement, the National Board of Review Awards held space for the smash hit musical, celebrating its cast and director in the New York group's annual gala Tuesday.
The untelevised but starry NBR Awards were a chance for many of the nominees who didn’t win Sunday to trot out their would-be acceptance speeches, including Daniel Craig, the stars of “Wicked” and Nicole Kidman.
Accepting the award for best actress for her performance in the erotic thriller “Babygirl,” Kidman celebrated by chugging a glass of milk, a nod to some of the film's kinky sex games. After finishing, Kidman triumphantly announced “Good girl!" and left the stage.
It also was an opportunity for some jabs at the Globes. “Isn’t this room just a little bit classier than the Beverly Hilton?“ quipped presenter Christine Baranski, looking around the elegant marble-columned midtown venue, Cipriani’s.
Others were less impressed by the old-school New York vibe. “The bathroom attendant, that shouldn’t exist anymore,” Kieran Culkin said during a typically free-form acceptance speech for best supporting actor for his role in “A Real Pain.”
The night belonged to Jon M. Chu's “Wicked.” The musical was the board's pick for best film and best director for Chu, along with a special award for the creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The two, in back-and-forth remarks, continued their mutual praise of each other.
“Also you’re welcome,” added Grande. “I truly think you would have murdered anyone else.”
“Probably true,” responded Erivo.
Chu, who was introduced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, used the moment to reflect on his yearslong journey with “Wicked,” which will be followed by an already-shot part two due out this November. So lengthy has his time in Oz been that the director noted he had three children during its making, including one born the day of the movie's premiere.
“No twins, same mom,” assured Chu. “I know what you guys are whispering.”
Ryan Reynolds, an avowed fan of the film, took up the topic in his introduction to the film's final award.
“The man missed the premiere of his own film so he could attend the birth of his fifth child,” Reynolds said. “I barely made it to the inception of my own children.”
The common theme of the night was community and togetherness. Coming a day after the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and less than two weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, many alluded to Hollywood's role in the coming years.
Marc Platt, producer of “Wicked,” spoke about the deeper meanings of the film and having “the courage to speak truth to power especially when that power is manifested by those who come to it by blame or divisiveness.”
Craig, the best actor winner for his performance in Luca Guadagnino’s William S. Burroughs’ adaptation, “Queer,” declared: “We are in good shape.”
“If we continue to make and produce movies like this, our industry is going to continue to thrive,” said Craig, who dedicated his award “to the dreamers in the room.” “We need you now more than ever.”
A key feature of the NBR Awards, which were founded in 1909 by film enthusiasts, is its style of award presentation. Each winner is introduced by a close friend, collaborator or admirer. Last year’s surprise guest was Daniel Day-Lewis, who presented for Martin Scorsese and the best-film winner “Killers of the Flower Moon."
This year, Robert Pattinson dropped in to introduce India Donaldson, winner of the breakthrough director award for her acclaimed debut “Good One.” Pattinson called Donaldson “one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.”
Sofia Coppola presented best supporting actress to Elle Fanning, who starred as a 12-year-old in 2010's “Somewhere,” for her performance in “A Complete Unknown.” “She’s really the same person that I met when she was 11,” Coppola said.
Other introductions were more surprising. John Lithgow, there as part of the “Conclave” group that won best ensemble, introduced breakthrough performance winner and “Anora” star Mikey Madison. Lithgow had only just met her but profusely praised her performance, listing a wide array of its traits, one of which drew giggles from the crowd, and the 25-year-old Madison.
“I never thought John Lithgow would call me ‘sexually athletic,’” said Madison, who plays a Brooklyn sex worker in the film.
Carol Kane presented best animated film to the wondrous Latvian film “Flow,” about a cat and other animals in a flooded world. She didn’t, at first, seem well-suited to the job.
“I don’t get animation. I like to watch people, you know,” Kane said. Then she relented, calling “Flow” a revelation. “Animals, for a long time now, have been some of my favorite people.”
Jesse Eisenberg attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
June Squibb attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
John Lithgow, left, and Ralph Fiennes attend the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
India Donaldson attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Julian Brave NoiseCat, left, and Emily Kassie attend the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ralph Fiennes attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Elle Fanning attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Daniel Craig attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Nicole Kidman attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Jon M. Chu attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Mikey Madison attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Cynthia Erivo attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ariana Grande attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
