Julen Lopetegui expected to sign contract at West Ham today but announcement could be delayed

Julen Lopetegui is expected to sign his West Ham contract today, talkSPORT understands.

Lopetegui is believed to have agreed an initial two-year deal after beating off competition from Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.

Lopetegui is set to become the new West Ham managerCredit: GettyThe Hammers could delay formally announcing his appointment out of respect for the outgoing David Moyes.

Ex-Wolves and Real Madrid manager Lopetegui was also on the radar of AC Milan and Bayern Munich.

However, after reaching a verbal agreement earlier this week, his move to the London Stadium looks set to be confirmed.

West Ham owner David Sullivan is said to have personally led the pursuit of the Spaniard who will replace Moyes.

READ MORE ON WEST HAMThat is despite sporting director Tim Steidten and club legend Mark Noble being thought to have preferred Amorim as the successor.

It was announced on Monday that Moyes would be leaving the club after four-and-a-half years in charge.

And in that statement, the Hammers said they would be ‘making no further comment until a new appointment is confirmed’.

That confirmation could be coming soon with Lopetegui finishing up the final details of his new deal.

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Lopetegui has beaten off competition from AmorimCredit: GettyLopetegui is heading back to the Premier League almost a year after he left his job at Wolves before the start of this season.

He hasn’t had a job since he departed the West Midlands but West Ham believe he is the right man for the job.

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The same can’t be said for former Hammers player Scott Minto who has his doubts over the manager.

Minto told talkSPORT: “I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m not overly enamoured by the decision, if that is going to be the decision.

“I’ve said this a few times on talkSPORT, I don’t like talking about managers when David Moyes [is still there] – and look, whatever you think of his style of play, I’ve seen a lot of West Ham this season I really have and I do get the fans saying about the style of play.

“You look at the Arsenal game, that’s a good example because you came up against Arsenal, but from minute one, it was kind of sitting back playing at home.

“That’s not what the fans want to see, they want to see you try to go for it.

“But, if you look at Lopetegui, he’s very well organised and very well structured, but he’s not the anti-David Moyes the fans are looking for.”