Premier League boss sacked just over a year since believing he could become Manchester United manager

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Manchester United made the first managerial sacking of the Premier League season and West Ham United have now followed suit.

Erik ten Hag was backed with new signings over the summer as Manchester United gave him another chance to prove himself.

That didn’t quite work out though as United sacked Ten Hag in October, making him the first Premier League sacking of the season.

United moved quickly to appoint Ruben Amorim and other bosses have gone the same way as Ten Hag.

Steve Cooper, Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin have been sacked by Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton respectively.

Ruud van Nistelrooy became Leicester boss and another managerial change in the Premier League has now been confirmed.

Julen Lopetegui sacked after Manchester United hope

West Ham United have decided to part ways with Julen Lopetegui despite only appointing him over the summer.

Lopetegui has won just seven of his 22 games as West Ham boss, including a victory over United to spark the Ten Hag sacking.

The Spaniard has been on the brink for weeks now and West Ham confirmed Lopetegui’s exit on Wednesday.

What’s interesting here is that Lopetegui actually thought he could be replacing Ten Hag as United boss just over a year ago.

Reports in December 2023 suggested that Lopetegui had snubbed contact from Nottingham Forest to hold out for a ‘bigger job’.

Lopetegui allegedly thought he was in contention at United – but Ten Hag held onto his job at the time.

The Spaniard was hardly mentioned over the summer when United considered sacking Ten Hag and he ended up taking the West Ham job instead.

It’s difficult to imagine that Lopetegui was a serious contender for Ineos, and his record at West Ham suggests they were right not to make a move.

Manchester United-linked manager to replace Lopetegui

United sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham and the right back will now have a new manager to impress after Lopetegui’s exit.

Lopetegui may have only just gone but West Ham are wasting no time in hiring his replacement.

BBC Sport report that West Ham will now appoint Graham Potter as Lopetegui’s heir, handing him a two-and-a-half-year deal at the London Stadium.

Potter’s name was heavily mentioned in United circles last year with Dan Ashworth keen to appoint Potter after Ten Hag’s sacking.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn’t impressed though and United ended up hiring Amorim instead.

Amorim and Potter are now scheduled to lock horns in the Premier League with United hosting West Ham at Old Trafford on May 10.