West Ham are admirers of Lille head coach Paulo Fonseca but they haven’t made contact with the 51-year-old about replacing David Moyes, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Hammers have hit a brick wall in their attempts to appoint Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, who has also been targeted by Liverpool. However, Fonseca has been suggested as an alternative and Jacobs says the Portuguese manager is being considered as a candidate:

Paulo Fonseca is very respected by the leadership at West Ham and also one potential option to replace David Moyes if he leaves. As of now, though, there has been no contact with him. Fonseca is focused on Lille until the end of the season.⚒️ pic.twitter.com/FoQ8AfAWGN

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 23, 2024

Fonseca has been linked with a move to the Premier League before, having been interviewed for the Tottenham job prior to Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment in the summer of 2021.

The Irons were also mentioned as a potential suitor when there was speculation about Moyes’s future at the back end of last season, so it appears the club have retained their interest since then.

Who is the favourite to become the next West Ham manager?

Following the news that he is “highly unlikely” to replace Moyes in the dugout at the London Stadium, the odds on Ruben Amorim taking charge have lengthened significantly at the bookmakers. The 39-year-old has moved out to 7/1 at Sky Bet.

Ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter is the favourite at 5/2, while the likes of Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick and Fonseca himself are second in the running.

Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper is currently 20/1 to succeed Moyes, while another rumoured candidate, Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, has equally long odds.

Other names that could also enter the reckoning are Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel and ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.