Julen Lopetegui press conference gets canceled as Graham Potter to take his role at West Ham United

On Friday night, West Ham hopes that Graham Potter will lead them in their FA Cup match against Aston Villa. Although Potter has consented to take over at the London Stadium, the team is still completing the final aspects of his joining the team as manager. The Hammers have yet to fire incumbent manager Julen Lopetegui, though.

Even if the club was on the verge of selecting Potter, 49, to succeed him, Julen Lopetegui was once again left in charge of training on Wednesday. The news conference that West Ham had planned for Wednesday afternoon in advance of their third-round match at Villa Park on Friday was cancelled. Potter is eager to practice on Thursday and watch the game from the dugout; the postponed press conference must also take place.

The way the week has gone has angered Lopetegui. Following the breakdown of their partnership, it was revealed on Monday that he had asked technical director Tim Steidten to avoid the training ground. Steidten was the one who first approached Graham Potter, but chairman David Sullivan has been in charge of the hunt for a new manager.

West Ham United is near the relegation zone

Direct negotiations have been led by vice chair Karren Brady since the talks were reopened this week. Lopetegui's departure must be finalised, and a new coaching team must be hired. The five coaches that the former Wolves manager recruited to east London are all anticipated to depart. Potter intends to initially bring up to four members of his coaching team with him, although Xavi Valero, the goalkeeping coach, is anticipated to remain.

During the summer, Valero was the only employee of David Moyes's team to stay. However, a four-game winning streak—West Ham's best of the season—was launched by the win in that game. However, the team is now 14th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone, after losing to Manchester City 4-1 and Liverpool 5-0 at home.