It hasn’t been long since Julen Lopetegui parted ways with West Ham, but the former Premier League manager could already be stepping into a fresh footballing chapter—this time far from English soil.
Just a few months after his sacking, Lopetegui is reportedly on the verge of becoming the new head coach of the Qatar national team.
West Ham Hopes Crumbled Early Under Lopetegui
When West Ham brought in Lopetegui to replace David Moyes last summer, expectations were sky-high.
The club spent heavily, signing players like Max Kilman, Niclas Fullkrug, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in a bid to shake things up.
But instead of sparking a revival, the team struggled to find rhythm or results.
After a string of disappointing performances and murmurs of unrest behind the scenes, the Hammers made the call to let Lopetegui go.
His stint ended in January after just 20 league matches—a record low for any permanent West Ham manager.
At the time, the club sat in a dismal 14th place in the Premier League table.
West Ham Still Searching for Stability
Despite moving on from Lopetegui, West Ham’s fortunes haven’t exactly turned around.
Under new boss Graham Potter, results remain inconsistent, and the team now finds itself hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th.
The rough patch has only added to the turbulence that’s defined the club’s season.
A Surprising Turn to International Football
While West Ham continues to search for answers, Lopetegui is reportedly close to sealing a deal that could take him back into international football.
According to respected journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 58-year-old is expected to be unveiled as the new manager of Qatar’s national team later this week.
It’s a surprising move, but not entirely out of character for Lopetegui, who previously managed Spain before a brief and dramatic stint at Real Madrid.
Qatar Eyes a Reset After Disappointing Campaigns
Qatar’s national team has been struggling to find momentum since their debut as World Cup hosts in 2022.
They were knocked out at the group stage back then, losing all three matches.
More recently, their performance in regional tournaments like the Gulf Cup and World Cup qualifiers has been underwhelming.
In March, a 3-1 loss to Kyrgyzstan all but ended their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
Despite having appointed fellow Spaniard Luis Garcia as head coach last December, the Qatar Football Association is now reportedly ready to change direction once again.
A Long-Term Commitment for Lopetegui
If all goes according to plan, Lopetegui will sign a deal to lead the Qatar national team through to 2027.
The appointment is expected to be officially confirmed in the coming days.
With his deep experience at club and international level, Qatar will be hoping Lopetegui can bring structure, identity, and much-needed results to a team that’s struggled to establish itself on the global stage.