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West Ham are said to be holding crisis talks over the future of Julen Lopetegui today.
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter has suggested that he would be open for discussions over the West Ham United head coach role, should Julen Lopetegui be dismissed from his post at the London Stadium.
It's been a torrid start to life in London for the former Wolves boss, who was chosen to replace David Moyes this summer as the Scotsman left the club following the end of his contract. West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League after 14 matches with just four wins so far this term.
Lopetegui has overseen victories over Newcastle United and Manchester United but any small signs of progress have been marred by inconsistency. The Hammers were beaten 5-2 at home by Arsenal last weekend and then lost 3-1 to struggling Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Having splurged around £132 million on transfers this summer, the club and supporters had expected an immediate impact from the former Real Madrid and Spain coach. However, West Ham chiefs are holding sack talks on Wednesday with a decision imminent, according to Football Insider - the side next play against Wolves at the London Stadium on Monday.
Julen Lopetegui’s future at West Ham is in the lurch.Julen Lopetegui’s future at West Ham is in the lurch.
Julen Lopetegui’s future at West Ham is in the lurch. | Getty Images
Graham Potter responds to West Ham links
Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is yet to make his management return since leaving Chelsea early last year and is often the first to be linked with any top flight vacancy after his success with Brighton. The 49-year-old was working as a pundit on Prime Video as West Ham were beat on Tuesday.
Potter was asked whether he would be ready to step into a vacant Premier League job and replied: "Yeah, of course. As I've said before, you are open to everything."
Having been linked with the England and Ajax roles in recent months, Potter went on to admit that he is also enjoying his time working in the media. He said: "At the same time, I am really enjoying this as well because it gives you another perspective.
"You get to see it from your eyes and how the media thinks about the game. That's always interesting. It's a different lens and that can only make you better once you understand that. I've enjoyed that."
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Potter - ‘I spoke to a lot of clubs over the summer’
The victory for Leicester City on Tuesday night was a major coup for new boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who oversaw his first match in charge since replacing Steve Cooper. The former Manchester United coach landed the role at the King Power shortly after leaving Old Trafford, but that is another role which Potter was linked with.
Reacting to those rumours, the ex Brighton man said: "What I've realised is that, in this world, you don't believe everything you read in the newspaper. I spoke to a lot of people and a lot of clubs over the summer and over the time I've been out. Out of respect for them, I think I will keep those conversations private.
"You don't confirm or deny anything, but this is a fantastic football club and they will be looking to start the new era under Ruud van Nistelrooy with a win."
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