Sources: West Ham have 'meeting' with manager taking English lessons in new twist

West Ham held a meeting with Massimiliano Allegri about the possibility of taking over as manager from Julen Lopetegui, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the former Juventus manager remains high on the Hammers’ list of potential managerial options.

Allegri is thought to be keen to manage in the Premier League and has been taking English lessons during his spell without a club.

However, the finances involved in a deal to bring him to the London Stadium are thought to be prohibitive for the West Ham, board who will now look elsewhere.

There had initially been plans for Lopetegui to lose his job in the wake of the defeat to Leicester on 3 December, but he has been given the clash v Wolves on Monday to save his job.

In the mean time, discussions had already begun about potential replacements, with Allegri joining Graham Potter at the top of their shortlist.

Football Insider revealed on 5 December that Potter has held advanced talks about becoming the Hammers’ next boss, and he is now on standby in case they suffer a defeat v Wolves.

West Ham hold Max Allegri talks after latest Lopetegui twist

Pressure on Lopetegui’s position has been growing as a result of the Hammers’ awful start to the season where they have won just four of their opening 14 games.

They currently sit 14th in the league table, just two points above Leicester who parted ways with Steve Cooper in November in favour of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Monday’s (9 December) clash against Wolves has been billed as “El Sackico”, with both Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil fighting to keep their jobs.

A defeat for either boss is expected to see their club pull the trigger and, as a result, West Ham have already begun preparing a potential replacement.

Allegri was earmarked as a potential leading candidate, having been out of work since leaving Juventus in controversial circumstances in May.

His winning experience and big name had been flagged as positives for the Hammers, but a hefty financial package means any agreement is unlikely, and Potter remains the favourite to take over.

In other news, Stefan Borson drops “£1billion” West Ham takeover claim.

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