If West Ham do decide to sack Julen Lopetegui then it seems they will have plenty of candidates to replace him.
Reports are gathering pace that Julen Lopetegui will be axed by West Ham.
Journalist Dharmesh Sheth says the axe is looming large over the Spaniard following the shambolic defeats to Arsenal and Leicester.
West Ham welcome Wolves to the London Stadium in the Premier League on Monday night.
According to Sky Sports’ senior reporter Kaveh Solhekol it is 60/40 that Lopetegui will be fired before then.
Solhekol, who is known to count Hammers’ majority owner David Sullivan among his close contacts, claims there will be a final decision made on Friday.
He states the West Ham hierarchy are “split 60/40” over whether to bring the ex Wolves manager’s reign to an end after 16 games in all competitions.
Just five of those have ended in wins after the 3-1 loss to Leicester.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
West Ham’s woeful defensive displays and the manager’s questionable tactics have cast serious doubt over his future.
Hammers fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” to Lopetegui at the King Power.
It seems he has escaped that precise fate.
But Friday morning may be a more realistic timeframe according to Solhekol.
West Ham United's Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui reacts during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and West Ham Unite...
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Two English managers want West Ham job – Potter isn’t one
Who would replace the former Spain boss at the Hammers helm though?
During the November international break, no less than 12 managers were linked with West Ham.
Lopetegui survived but now finds himself under intense pressure.
Yesterday it was claimed Sullivan has lined up former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao.
Journalist Jacob Steinberg and L’Equipe both claimed Conceicao wants the West Ham job too.
Former Hammers assistant coach Edin Terzic has been heavily linked, as has Graham Potter.
Now two English managers want the West Ham job but they’re not on the shortlist.
Although Potter isn’t one of them.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed to Hammers News that a board meeting is being held today (Wednesday) – ahead of Friday’s decision.
His sources claim the two managers, who have both played for West Ham, are very keen if Lopetegui is relieved of his duties.
Gary O'Neil, head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemout...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
O’Neil and Carrick ‘want’ West Ham – but they’re not on shortlist
It is claimed Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and his fellow former West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick – now manager of Middlesbrough – are the men who want the job.
O’Neil is under pressure himself at Wolves – one of only two clubs who have conceded more than the Hammers this season.
Meanwhile Carrick has Middlesbrough in the promotion mix to return to the Premier League from the Championship.
Both have connections to the club.
Carrick came through West Ham’s famed Academy and has become known for giving young players a chance at the Riverside.
The problem for O’Neil and Carrick, though, is that neither are currently on Sullivan and co’s shortlist.
If reports overnight are to be believed that shortlist currently consists of Conceicao, Terzic, Potter and – increasingly in the last few days – Max Allegri.
Michael Carrick, Manager of Middlesbrough applauds fans during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough at Sta...
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
How O’Neil and Carrick compare
O’Neil has been lauded for the job he did at Bournemouth and since replacing Lopetegui at Wolves after the Hammers boss walked out on them on the eve of last season.
At Bournemouth, O’Neil registered a win ratio of 29.75 per cent with 11 victories from 37 matches.
The former West Ham midfielder, who is good friends with sporting director Mark Noble, lost 20 and drew six.
At Wolves, O’Neil’s win percentage is higher at 33.3 off the back of 20 wins from 60 matches.
There have been 11 draws and 29 defeats, the latest of which came in the 4-2 reverse at home to his old club.
Carrick has far less experience as a Premier League manager.
But in three games as caretaker boss at Man United he won two and drew the other, giving him a 66.6% win ratio.
A product of Tony Carr’s famous West Ham golden generation, Carrick has a win record over 50% as Middlesbrough manager.
Carrick has won 54, drawn 17 and lost 36 of his 107 games at ‘Boro.
Middlesbrough are fifth in the Championship 18 games into the season, six points off an automatic promotion spot.
So it is interesting to hear he would still jump at the chance to return to his old club for a crack at the Premier League.
Related Posts