WEST HAM have stepped up an ambitious move to appoint Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as boss.
SunSport understands the Hammers yesterday held face-to-face talks in London with Amorim.
Current chief David Moyes is out of contract at the end of the season and likely to leave following Sunday’s 5-2 loss at Crystal Palace.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has also previously held discussions with the Portuguese — his top choice — as he sounds out potential bosses.
Landing Amorim would be a big coup for the Hammers as he is rated as one of Europe’s top young coaches.
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The 39-year-old has a hefty release clause in his Sporting contract but is open to accepting the job.
Amorim is also in the running to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich also searching for new managers.
Former Wolves and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui is another being considered by West Ham.
They have admired Lille’s Paulo Fonseca in the past, as well as former Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier.
He was close to joining the Hammers a year ago but is now in Qatar.
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Ex-Bayern and Germany boss Hansi Flick has been to a game at the London Stadium this season.
West Ham offered Moyes a new deal in December following wins over Manchester United and Arsenal. But talks stalled after a dip in form the next month.
Club sources insist no final decision will be made on Moyes’ future until the end of the campaign.
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A late run into Europe could salvage his position, although West Ham are currently eighth.
Should Manchester City win the FA Cup, seventh will be the lowest a side can finish to reach the Europa Conference League.
Moyes has shown irritation at questions over his future in recent weeks.
Moyes has insisted he is relaxed about the situation, while players have also said they will remain focused on the games and not the manager's future.
The Scot turned on his players following the 5-2 defeat and said he did not want to talk about his future.
Moyes said: "I am giving no excuses whatsoever. The players got praised for their performance on Thursday night. But today was so bad I cannot put it into words.
"I am so disappointed for supporters who came in today and in truth I am embarrassed to sit here and be speaking on behalf of the team and the way they have performed today but I am the manager.
"Maybe we’ve lost a wee bit of the tough culture that we’ve had, the pride in making sure that we didn’t concede and were hard to play against and difficult opposition."
