Ex-West Ham boss Lopetegui named Qatar manager

Nearly four months after West Ham fired Julen Lopetegui, the Qatar national team’s head coach has been appointed.

The 58-year-old Spaniard’s contract runs until 2027 and includes the ongoing World Cup qualifiers until 2026.

Qatar, who hosted the previous World Cup, was unable to advance to the finals stage despite being eliminated in the opening round.

Lopetegui previously served as the manager of Spain in international football.

After being appointed Real Madrid manager in 2016, he was replaced two days before the 2018 World Cup.

After four and a half months in charge of Sevilla, he left and won the Europa League.

In November of that year, he relocated to Wolves, but he resigned the following summer.