Julen Lopetegui will take charge of West Ham for the game against Wolves but it may be his last regardless of what happens.
West Ham fans are angry after the club’s owners decided not to sack Julen Lopetegui in the wake of the defeat to Leicester.
Hammers supporters called for the manager’s head at the King Power.
As reports of more dressing room fights with star players and serious unrest emerges, most expected the axe to fall when West Ham’s owners met on Thursday.
The media had been briefed that an announcement was due on Friday.
As a result, speculation has been rife over who might replace Lopetegui.
The likes of Graham Potter, Edin Terzic, Sergio Conceicao, Max Allegri and a host of other names have been linked with the Hammers job.
But it emerged yesterday evening that the board are giving Lopetegui one more game.
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The news has enraged West Ham fans.
Many are calling on one another to boycott Monday’s game against the manager’s old club Wolves to send a message to the owners.
The situation at the London Stadium is threatening to turn toxic.
It’s all a far cry from the excitement and expectation that greeted the club’s busy summer transfer window.
Nine players arrived to the tune of £155m and Lopetegui was tasked with having the Hammers challenging for Europe again.
Instead his side sit 14th in the table, closer to the relegation zone than top six.
Supporters have been given hope that Lopetegui will still be sacked next week, though.
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
Hutchison demands West Ham owners take boss from rivals
Reports have claimed David Sullivan and co are merely buying themselves some time while talks take place with potential replacements.
There is rare unity among West Ham fans regarding Lopetegui.
Although the prospect of certain replacements has them divided.
Well one for Hammer turned pundit thinks he knows the answer.
Don Hutchison has demanded action from the West Ham owners to take a boss from their Premier League rivals.
The ex Irons midfielder was on duty for Premier League Productions last night.
Hutchison covered Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth.
And he says West Ham ‘should be all over’ Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.
Head Coaches Julen Lopetegui of West Ham United and Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between West Ham United ...
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Ex Hammer says clubs ‘should be all over’ Iraola
It was claimed recently that Sullivan is targeting Iraola for West Ham.
Hutchison was blown away by how good Bournemouth are under the Spaniard with Iraola’s side unlucky not to win by a bigger margin.
He believes West Ham should be going to take him from the south coast club to replace Lopetegui.
“A pleasure to co-commentate on Bournemouth tonight,” Hutchison said.
“Iraola is a really brave manager! Instead of shutting up shop at 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go he brings attackers on to try and score more. Bournemouth could have scored three or four…
“West Ham should be all over him mate. He’s beaten Arsenal, Man City, Barca and Real Madrid.”
The fact West Ham have already been linked with Iraola makes Hutchison’s claim all the more intriguing.
The 42-year-old is more in line with what Hammers fans had wanted and expected when the club was replacing David Moyes.
A young, modern, innovative coach who would be a complete departure from the Scot.
Cherries boss more in line with expectations of fans
Iraola has Bournemouth playing great football and punching above their weight.
Crucially, he was able to implement his style and philosophy in a matter of months.
Meanwhile West Ham fans – and players – still have no clue as to how Lopetegui is trying to play six months since arriving in east London.
The problem is Sullivan will have to break the habit of lifetime to bring Iraola to the London Stadium.
Because he would have to do something he is usually very reluctant to – fork out money for compensation.
It’s not clear what that compensation might be – but it would likely only be paying up Iraola’s salary, which would reportedly amount to around £5m.
A recent report linking the Hammers with the Bournemouth boss stated West Ham want to replace Lopetegui with a manager who ‘plays attractive football and is in line with their ambitions’.
It was also claimed Iraola has been discussed and the Hammers believe they can tempt him away from Bournemouth.
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