Paulo Fonseca is high on AC Milan’s shortlist to replace Stefano Pioli as coach, meaning the Italian giants and West Ham are effectively vying for the same two managerial candidates.
West Ham had identified Lille manager Fonseca as the top target to replace David Moyes, should the club decide to move on from the Scot when his contract expires at the end of the season.
However, i understands there remains a split in the West Ham boardroom as to who should succeed Moyes, with some liking the idea of going with an attack-minded Fonseca, who will bring a more exciting brand of football to what Moyes has instilled, and others preferring former Real Madrid and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui’s experience.
The Hammers had looked set to miss out on Lopetegui as AC Milan were understood to be the Spaniard’s first option, with Pioli expected to leave in the coming weeks after Inter Milan stole this season’s Scudetto from their city rivals with ease.
However, Lopetegui to Milan is not a done deal yet, with some supporter groups rumoured to be unhappy with the appointment. As a result, Fonseca is being considered, leaving West Ham and their Italian counterparts as an unlikely pair stuck deciding between the same two coaches.
No final decision has been made on Moyes’ future as yet, with West Ham chairman David Sullivan waiting until after the final Premier League game against Manchester City to hold talks with the 61-year-old.
The Hammers had held talks with in-demand Sporting coach Ruben Amorim last week, a trip the Portuguese apologised to supporters for over the weekend. Nothing is understood to have come from the meeting described by one source close to the club as an “overly ambitious attempt”.
Former Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma coach Fonseca has long harboured ambitions of managing in England and said as much in an interview with i in 2022.
He is understood to be happy where he is for now, with Lille still having plenty to play for this season as they look to secure top four finish and Champions League qualification, but his contract expires in the summer and there is no sign of any extension being agreed. Marseille are also understood to be monitoring his situation.
Lopetegui has a glittering CV which includes managerial spells with Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla before his last job in the Premier League with Wolves, leaving in acrimonious circumstances unhappy at the lack of investment in the playing squad.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/fWcrEyS
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