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Hammers manager search dealt huge blow

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The chances of Paulo Fonseca moving to West Ham took a blow today as his team, LOSC Lille FC, moved into the Champions League positions in Ligue 1.

Lille defeated Metz 2-1 away from home to move into third position in the French first division, just three points behind Monaco, whom they lost to in the previous fixture.

Fonseca is out of contract at the end of this season, and speculation was rife that he’d succeed David Moyes as Hammers manager. However, with the prospect of Champions League football next season, it is expected that Lille will double down on their efforts to keep the Portuguese coach.

Last year, LOSC president Olivier Létang fended off interest from Olympique de Marseille and managed to retain Fonseca. However, Marseille is looking for a manager once again this season, so competition for the coach could be fierce.

Fonseca has said that he is yet to make a decision on his future. “[I’m handling the situation] calmly and completely focused on the last four matches. I have already said that my future is not important now. Lille’s future is the most important thing in these last four matches. I have not decided [on my future],” said Fonseca in a press conference yesterday.

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Kris Gonzo (commonly known to the West Ham community as Gonzo) is the co-founder of Hammers Chat (established 2014) and the lead video content creator and columnist for Claret and Hugh.

With over a decade of professional sports media experience, he is a frequent West Ham United analyst and contributor for Sky Sports News, BBC Football Focus, and BBC Radio 5 Live. He previously served as an official video and content creator for West Ham United FC during the club's tenure at Upton Park and featured in the official documentary commemorating the historic final game at the Boleyn Ground.

A lifelong Hammer since the legendary 10-0 victory over Bury, when he isn't providing daily match analysis on the Hammers Chat YouTube Channel or broadcasting on X (@GONZObignose), he can be found walking his dog and restoring classic pinball machines.

7 comments

  • Ian says:

    Secrecy is definitely the boards game, but Steidten has two cards up his sleeve.
    based on friendship and knowledge, there are two outstanding Managers that are
    playing their cards very close to their chests……..FONSECA AND ALONSO.

  • Bennyboy baker says:

    Whoever gets to be the next manager will have a big job on their hands in rebuilding the squad that’s assuming moyes leaves there are going to be further twists in this situation with reports saying that West Ham have agreed on one person then the next day it’s someone else until a new manager is appointed and confirmed we just have to hope that the powers that be make the right decision on who is mister right

  • 14 says:

    It all depends on how much of an opportunity PF (or any manager) considers West Ham and managing in the PL to be. Fonseca has been in the CL many, many times so the novelty of it might not be as high as if it would had it been his first qualification.

  • Ian says:

    rebuilding west. ham. Is going to be a hard , lengthy. task. it’s. not surprising that successful managers aren’t interested ! how about a genuine experiment. ” STEIDTEN IS MADE SUPREMO AND CARRICK AS HEAD COACH “.
    now is the opportunity to show courage.

    • I'm not the answer to our right back problems says:

      Slightly disagree with your opinion, a new manager would surely relish the opportunity to more or less build (not RE-build) his own team from scratch being as we have so so many out of contract and old players that are going to leave this year.

  • Trevsheadwonthecup says:

    Honestly Gonzo . You’re a lovely fella . But please stop putting out speculation as fact . There’s way more money at WHUFC than Lillie. With all due respect. Amorin is the next manager anyway.

    • rollercoaster hammer says:

      …and you could stop putting words in peoples’ mouths. he stated nothing as fact.i mean you’re propably a love fella and all….🙄

Comments are closed.