West Ham supporters have been calling for Julen Lopetegui to be sacked after goading the manager with angry chants during the defeat to Leicester.
When you are the manager of a team that’s falling way below expectations, football can be a very lonely place.
Julen Lopetegui is certainly finding that out right now at West Ham.
The Spaniard spent a year out of the game following his Wolves walkout on the eve of last season.
Now his job as Hammers boss is hanging by a thread.
West Ham’s 3-1 defeat at Leicester was a new low for the season.
Lopetegui has overseen a series embarrassing defeats since arriving in east London.
But going 3-0 down to the struggling Foxes in a “must win” game was the final straw for many Hammers fans.
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Chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” rang out from West Ham’s most dedicated and hardcore fans in Lopetegui’s direction at the King Power.
Lopetegui responded to the West Ham fan chants after the game.
So did West Ham, with a spokesman telling Hammers News the defending was “appalling”.
General view outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Ipswich Town FC. Inset, David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky, Tim Steidten, and Julen Lopetegui.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Major Lopetegui update from corridors of power at West Ham
Now all eyes are on what action West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and co take.
It was claimed earlier on Sky Sports that the Hammers hierarchy are leaning more towards sacking Lopetegui than keeping him.
Reports have abound about talks with a host of supposed managerial targets.
It then emerged that West Ham will be holding a meeting ahead a decision on Friday.
Sergio Conceicao was said to be a prime target both before and since the defeat at Leicester.
Graham Potter continues to be linked as does former Hammers assistant coach Edin Terzic.
Reports in Italy claim Max Allegri has held talks over the West Ham job.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has also revealed that two former West Ham players want the job.
Neither are on the club’s shortlist as things stand, though.
Now there has been a major Lopetegui update from corridors of power at West Ham and it is sure to spark a big outpouring.
Many Irons fans were demanding Lopetegui be sacked after the game last night.
But as speculation swirls, there is huge news from the club’s inner sanctum.
Sergio Conceicao of FC Porto during the match between Sporting CP and FC Porto for the Portuguese Cup Final. Inset, Edin Terzic, Massimiliano Allegri and Graham Potter.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Sullivan getting cold feet sure to spark big outpouring
Well connected journalist Bailey has told Hammers News this evening that Sullivan is getting cold feet about pulling the trigger on the manager.
Bailey claims Sullivan is unconvinced by alternatives being put to him.
And while a final decision will be made when the board meet this week, the feeling is that the club are going to once again give Lopetegui a reprieve.
“David Sullivan clearly doesn’t want to sack Julen Lopetegui, but just how long can he go on for?” Bailey told Hammers News.
“Although to be fair to Sullivan, the board members are not all pushing for a change either, although some are.
“This clearly is not the news that West Ham fans wanted to hear. But talks will continue this week.
“Personally I believe a real issue that Sullivan has when it comes to sacking Loptegeui is the lack of options he is convinced by, should he make the change.”
Many Hammers fans will be furious about this news.
The result of a fan poll conducted by Hammers insider Sean Whetstone was emphatic.
From nearly 8,000 votes at the time of writing, over 83 per cent said they want Lopetegui sacked.
More rumours of unrest in the dressing room have emerged amid the speculation over the manager’s future.
So it does make you wonder what is the point of persisting with the man many are labelling the ‘new Pellegrini’ and, worse still, the ‘new Avram Grant’.
Decisive action and ambition is needed to salvage West Ham’s season.
There is still time with two thirds of the campaign to go and the FA Cup starting in the new year.
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