Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly set to hold talks at AC Milan over the possibility of appointing West Ham United-linked manager Julen Lopetegui as a replacement for Stefano Pioli, according to CalcioMercato.
Pioli appears set to be sacked by the Serie A giants and the Rossoneri are, as per the report on 23 April, assessing a number of possible alternatives, including Lopetegui, Mark van Bommel, Paulo Fonseca and ex-Irons boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Lopetegui, though, is also on West Ham’s radar as they look for a potential replacement of their own for David Moyes, whose future is uncertain as his contract is due to expire at the end of this season.
West Ham United will hope AC Milan do not make a move for Julen Lopetegui
West Ham have been linked with a number of managers themselves beyond Lopetegui, including Ruben Amorim and Graham Potter, among others.
However, should Lopetegui be the Hammers’ replacement of choice should Moyes opt not to extend his stay at the London Stadium, they will hope they do not have to compete with AC Milan for the manager’s signature.
Lopetegui does not appear to be at the top of the Rossoneri’s shortlist, with Van Bommel – presently head coach of Belgian side Royal Antwerp – seemingly Ibrahimovic’s preferred candidate.
However, with a deal for Sporting CP boss Amorim looking unlikely, West Ham’s options are growing thinner and losing out on Lopetegui would significantly weaken the club’s hand in any negotiations – as well as leave their shortlist worryingly short.
West Ham will have to hope that Ibrahimovic gets his way and hires Van Bommel instead. When it comes to the larger-than-life Swede, that tends to be the case.
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