Dec 4, 2024, 08:39 AM
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Julen Lopetegui's future as West Ham United manager looked even more uncertain in the wake of their 3-1 defeat at Leicester City on Tuesday, where the Spaniard even faced "you're getting sacked in the morning" chants from his own fans.
Appointed at the start of the season to restore West Ham's expansive playing style after several seasons of pragmatism under David Moyes, Lopetegui has failed to make the desired impact despite a flurry of signings to bolster the squad.
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West Ham are 14th after suffering a seventh defeat in 14 Premier League matches and the supporters made their feelings clear after the third goal went in at the King Power Stadium. Lopetegui said he was too focused on the game itself to worry about those chants.
"I am a coach, I am not aware about what happens around me. I am focused on the match so I can't say anything about this," Lopetegui said.
"The only thing that I'm worried about is if we are able to change this situation. For sure I believe in the players. We have done a good match talking about the football but talking about the score, no."
Lopetegui's side endured a frustrating evening against Leicester, managing only a stoppage-time consolation goal despite having 31 goal attempts, nine corners and 55 touches inside the opposition penalty area.
He is adamant that the team can improve, and that he is not concerned about his position.
Julen Lopetegui applauds the fans after West Ham's latest crushing defeat on Tuesday. Alex Pantling/Getty Images
"The only thing I'm worried about now is to go to tomorrow's training session and encourage the players and prepare for the next challenge," he added.
"Normally, when you do what we did, you are going to win the match, but we didn't do that and it's hard to explain. It's hard for the players, for us and for the fans.
Lopetegui made his name at Sevilla, securing three consecutive top-four finishes and winning the Europa League before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He guided Wolves from the foot of the Premier League to a mid-table finish in 2022-23 but left after only nine months in charge after falling out with the club over their transfer policy.
Wolves are West Ham's next opponent, with the sides due to meet at the London Stadium on Monday.