Hint at a dismissal? West Ham cancels Lopetegui's press conference

Speculation about West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui’s departure has been circulating in the media for some time, but the Hammers have now given a clear signal about the Spaniard's future—one that doesn’t seem favourable for him.

Details: According to The Independent, Lopetegui was scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday morning ahead of the FA Cup match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, but it was cancelled. This comes despite the manager conducting the team’s usual training session on Tuesday.

It’s believed this is a sign that West Ham has finalized their search for Lopetegui’s successor, a process the manager was reportedly aware of. Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter remains the frontrunner for the role, with minor contractual details being ironed out.

Reminder: Reports earlier suggested that the club’s patience ran out following a 1-4 defeat to Manchester City, marking West Ham’s sixth loss this season by a margin of three or more goals.