West Ham are six points above relegation zone after a sixth defeat of the season
Julen Lopetegui is under huge pressure ahead of Tuesday's visit to Leicester City
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By DAVID KENT
Published: 17:54 EST, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 17:54 EST, 2 December 2024
West Ham are reportedly eyeing up candidates to replace under-fire manager Julen Lopetegui with the club losing patience in the Spaniard after Saturday's humbling 5-2 home defeat by Arsenal.
The Hammers were 4-0 down inside 36 minutes against Arsenal and fans were pouring out of the London Stadium in the first half.
That was their sixth league defeat of the season and they now sit just six points above the relegation zone in 14th place in the Premier League table.
The manner of that latest collapse has placed Lopetegui under renewed scrutiny as they prepare to face Leicester on Tuesday - in Ruud van Nistelrooy's first match as Foxes boss.
There are also reportedly concerns at West Ham at the club's summer business.
The club spent more than £100m on players and they hoped that this investment - along with the change of manager from David Moyes to former Wolves boss Lopetegui - would take them on to the next level.
West Ham have reportedly identified former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao as their top target
West Ham were 4-0 down inside 36 minute at home against Arsenal on Saturday before losing 5-2
Tuesday night's trip to Leicester feels like a must-win match for under-fire boss Julen Lopetegui
That has not been the case and The Guardian are reporting that the Hammers are wasting no time drawing up their list of successors should the club slip to defeat against the newly promoted side with former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao top of their wishlist.
The 50-year-old Portuguese led Porto to three league titles, twice took them to the Champions League quarter-finals and is currently out of work having left the club in the summer.
Conceicao is also understood to be attracted to the prospect of working at the London Stadium although West Ham are yet to have made contact with him.
Other managers reportedly on West Ham's radar include former Juventus manager Max Allegri, who has been pictured in London recently and Graham Potter who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023.