West Ham United might turn to 57-year-old German manager Roger Schmidt to replace the struggling Julen Lopetegui if the results do not improve.
According to an update by reputed German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Roger Schmidt is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are scouring the market for a manager amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Julen Lopetegui. So, the German tactician has emerged on the Premier League club’s radar, although a move might not see the light of day.
The Roger Schmidt story
Roger Schmidt has been one of the most highly-rated managers in Europe for nearly a decade. A native of Kierspe, he was a midfielder who spent his formative years and professional career in Germany. He did not represent any high-profile club and retired as a 38-year-old in 2005.
The 57-year-old entered the managerial sphere in 2004 but had to wait for nearly a decade before rising in prominence. Schmidt became a household name in Germany and beyond during his spell with Bayer Leverkusen. Since then, he has taken charge of Beijing Guoan, PSV Eindhoven, and SL Benfica.
Schmidt enjoyed reasonably fruitful spells with PSV Eindhoven and SL Benfica, winning two trophies with each club. However, the German tactician has been a free agent since leaving Benfica in the early days of the 2024/25 season, ending his spell with a winning rate of nearly 70 per cent. His next job might come at West Ham United.
Premier League job up next?
West Ham United’s interest in Roger Schmidt makes sense. The Hammers are scouring the market for a manager amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Julen Lopetegui, who has failed to inspire the East London club to a solid first half of the 2024/25 season.
With Hammers struggling for relevance in the Premier League, Lopetegui is in a spot of bother. So, several candidates, including Kasper Hjulmand, have emerged on West Ham’s radar, with Schmidt also a viable target. However, a move for the former SL Benfica manager might not see the light of day.
Florian Plettenberg has suggested that Schmidt will unlikely take charge at a new club right now. In addition, his contract with SL Benfica has not yet been terminated. So, West Ham might look elsewhere for a new manager if the 57-year-old German tactician does not join them.
