All the talk at West Ham United right now is surrounding the uncertain future of Julen Lopetegui.
Julen Lopetegui looked utterly dejected after his West Ham side lost 3-1 to Leicester City on Tuesday night.
However, the Spaniard only has himself to blame, and a ‘significant majority’ at board level apparently want to sack him.
Lopetegui has overseen numerous horrendous performances so far this season, and there is said to be friction behind the scenes between him and a handful of players.
The former Wolves boss lacks any kind of charisma off the pitch, and I feel like that is rubbing off on his players.
West Ham United's Julen Lopetegui gestures during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and West Ham United FC at The King Power Stadi...
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
They all look totally unmotivated, and lack the energy and intensity needed to succeed in the Premier League.
So what next for the Hammers? It surely can’t be long before a big change is made in the managerial department.
Potential Julen Lopetegui replacement ‘weak and lightweight’
There have been numerous names linked with the Hammers job over the past few days.
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One of those being hotly tipped to replace Lopetegui is Graham Potter.
The ‘coaching mastermind’ is said to be one of the West Ham owners’ top choices to take the Spaniard’s place in the Hammers hot-seat.
Simon Jordan delivered his verdict on the current situation at WestHam, when speaking on talkSPORT.
And he certainly didn’t pull any punches…
Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan at the FA to hear charges of "Improper Conduct". London, December 7, 2005
Photo by David Lodge/FilmMagic
“I’m not a huge fan of Lopetegui and I’m certainly not a huge fan of David Sullivan. So with those two things in mind, it gives me a level of ambivalence. If you looked at that game without any investment, you would struggle to contrive how West Ham lost that game 3-1. Sullivan doesn’t like to sack managers and pay out compensation, who does?“
“Now they’ve chosen Lopetegui for whatever reason. Now whether they think Potter, I think Potter’s a flake, I know it’s not very positive thing to say but I do. If they think Potter is the answer that will be an interesting outcome.“
“The manner in which he conducted himself at Chelsea was weak and lightweight. He was psychologically under pressure and being slightly intimidated by the circumstances. I thought to myself that’s not much of a leader.“
Whilst I understand Jordan’s point, I do believe that Potter could be perfect for us in the long run.
As long as the Hammers fans, and the board of course, have the stomach for a long-term project, I believe Graham Potter would be the ideal man for the job at the London Stadium.
He is incredibly versatile, tactically flexible and puts great emphasis on keeping possession of the football.
The football he implements would be like night and night in comparison to Lopetegui.
What is clear to see in my eyes is that Julen Lopetegui is not the man we need at West Ham right now.
It’s funny, because Jordan’s description of Potter does have some substance, but I’m convinced that the 49-year-old would be a much better option for us than Lopetegui.
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