Paulo Fonseca is now almost a done deal as David Sullivan paints himself into a corner at West Ham over David Moyes’ successor.
West Ham’s final shortlist to replace David Moyes was whittled from an alleged 15 names to just four this week.
Five if you include Moyes himself as both he and the club continue to tow the party line that no decision will be made on the Scot’s future until the end of the season.
At the top of the list at the start of the week – according to a top Sky Sports journalist – was coveted 39-year-old Ruben Amorim.
And even as of last night, according to our own sources, there remains hope nearly two weeks after he flew to London for talks with David Sullivan.
His compatriot Paulo Fonseca, Spaniard Julen Lopetegui and German Thomas Tuchel made up that reported list.
Fonseca West Ham links suddenly went quiet
Portuguese duo Amorim and Fonseca were two names who had stirred excitement and widespread agreement among West Ham fans.
Tuchel the same but his signature being deemed unrealistic by many supporters – despite his close ties to Hammers technical director Tim Steidten.
Over the past 48 hours, though, Lopetegui has emerged as the frontrunner.
Journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News that Lopetegui is the man Sullivan has settled on having been ‘won over’ during a meeting with the Spaniard.
It came after AC Milan withdrew a contract offer to the out of work former Wolves boss following a large scale protest petition from the club’s fans.
West Ham supporters have launched their own petition at the prospect of Lopetegui replacing Moyes.
Many also voted in favour of keeping the incumbent manager over appointing Lopetegui.
Fonseca almost done deal as Sullivan paints himself into a corner
In the meantime we are told Amorim remains a target as Steidten and Mark Noble try to convince Sullivan to pay Sporting his £12.8m release clause.
Things have gone very quiet on Fonseca, though.
Now we know why.
News from Italy makes it feel very much like West Ham have been played like a fiddle.
Because Fonseca is now almost a done deal as Sullivan paints himself into a corner at West Ham.
According to Calciomercato and Football Italia Fonseca is now in pole position to replace Stefano Pioli at the San Siro.
And he is edging closer to being named their new boss after they ditched Lopetegui.
The reports in Italy claim that Fonseca is almost a done deal with Milan extra keen given the possibility he could bring longstanding Hammers target Jonthan David with him.
Biggest call of Sullivan’s Hammers tenure?
It is reported that Milan fans are much more receptive the idea of hiring Fonseca – as they are at West Ham.
Now Sullivan is painted into a corner and faces possibly the biggest decision of his tenure.
Does he show some real ambition by paying the release clause for one of the most coveted young managers around?
Or does he opt for the free agent nobody wants, who will arrive under instant pressure to get results and play a noticeably better style of football?
Because with Fonseca now looking out of the equation, they appear to be the only two options left open to the majority owner.