West Ham badge, Julen Lopetegui
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]
Zak Anderton
Fri 6 December 2024 14:10, UK
Tony Cottee fears the West Ham board will make a head-scratching appointment to replace Julen Lopetegui if they decide to sack him.
The Spaniard has been under severe scrutiny this season, which was only heightened by the fact the Hammers lost 3-1 against Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday 3 December.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sacked In The Morning Podcast in quotes relayed by the BBC Sport website (5 December), former Hammers striker Cottee said the out-of-work Graham Potter would be his preferred choice should Lopetegui be sacked but thinks a more unknown name will get the nod.
“I think the one that stands out at the moment who’s free and not with a club would probably be Graham Potter,” he said.
“I think most of the West Ham fans would prefer a British manager. I’m not saying foreign managers aren’t good. I just think for the type of club West Ham is, I think the British manager would probably be good along the lines of David Moyes, etc.
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“He’s not at a club at the moment, so I’m sure he should be high on the list. But knowing the West Ham board, they’ll probably appoint someone I’ve absolutely never heard of and I’ll be scratching my head again and going, ‘Oh, here we go'”.
Julen Lopetegui has to lead West Ham to a victory against Wolves
In a game that is being dubbed ‘El Sackico’ by some, the Hammers are set to take on Gary O’Neil’s men on Monday 9 December in a game that could lead to the sacking of one of the two managers.
West Ham and Wolves have been two of the worst-performing teams in the league this season and if either side is beaten, it’s hard to see how their boards will be able to keep them in their roles for much longer.
The Hammers aren’t yet in the relegation zone, but due to Everton’s 4-0 victory against Wolves on Wednesday, it feels like Lopetegui’s men are well in the relegation dogfight.
Julen Lopetegui
Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]
If the former Real Madrid boss doesn’t manage to come away from the London Stadium with all three points to his name, it’ll no doubt be the end of his tenure, especially with the Hammers’ upcoming board meeting to discuss his future.
Only time will tell what the game has in store but if the Spaniard’s team are beaten, it’ll more than likely be curtains for the 58-year-old.
In other West Ham news, Erik ten Hag has been named as the search for Lopetegui’s successor is in full swing.
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