If David Sullivan isn’t already regretting his decision to retain Julen Lopetegui as West Ham’s manager, Spurs might make sure he does.
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is not the only Premier League manager whose own fans are calling for their head this week.
There has been growing discontent at West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
It came to a head after Spurs’ 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday night with Ange Postecoglou feeling the wrath of the away fans.
They say when you lose your hardcore travelling support, there’s usually no way back.
A couple of nights before, West Ham’s own away fans let Lopetegui and the board know how they feel too.
Chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ rang out from Hammers fans as they lost 3-1 at Leicester.
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The season is not panning out as supporters of West Ham and Tottenham expected with the clubs 14th and 10th in the table respectively.
West Ham’s board, led by majority owner David Sullivan, elected to give Lopetegui at least one more game after a summit meeting.
As Spurs fans turn, pressure is increasing on Postecoglou too.
Split image of Ange Postecoglou and Julen Lopetegui.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Spurs pile pressure on dithering Sullivan at West Ham
He confronted Tottenham fans hurling abuse at him down at the Vitality.
Many feel it is the beginning of the end for Lopetegui and Postecoglou at the London rivals.
It means Spurs are piling the pressure on dithering Sullivan over his big West Ham decision as a clear threat looms.
West Ham revealed they felt morally obligated to give Lopetegui another game.
That match is at home against one of the worst teams in the Premier League, Wolves.
Hammers fans feel it is a pointless exercise because even if they beat Wolves, it proves nothing about the manager or the team.
Meanwhile Spurs face an in-form Chelsea 24 hours earlier on Sunday.
A chastening defeat for Tottenham against one of their fiercest rivals could have massive ramifications for Postecoglou.
But it could also have big ramifications for Hammers chief Sullivan too.
West Ham’s decision to stick by Lopetegui for now means the plethora of managers linked with them are left on the market for another club to snap up.
Split image of Daniel Levy and David Sullivan.
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Tottenham threat looms for Hammers in sack race
Given the attraction of a club like Spurs – with their stadium, training ground and squad – that would present a major problem for West Ham in a straight shootout for a new boss.
If Postecoglou is fired then Spurs would suddenly become hot favourites for a host of managers reportedly on West Ham’s shortlist.
Names such as Graham Potter, Max Allegri, Sergio Conceicao and Thomas Frank have all been linked with the Hammers.
Tottenham may win the sack race, though, and it would give them first pick at any one of those.
Some would argue those managers would be stuck between a rock and a hard place when deciding who to work for between Sullivan and Tottenham’s Daniel Levy.
But if West Ham continue to stand by what most fans feel is a failed appointment in Lopetegui, then it won’t even be a choice.
Levy could make Sullivan regret standing by Lopetegui
Spurs could have free run at the managerial market.
If they went out and got the pick of the bosses available before the Hammers, it would incense West Ham fans even more.
Reports claim the sack is looming for Tottenham’s Australian boss.
That will back Sullivan into a corner and force him to make one of his biggest decisions yet.
Either stick with Lopetegui and potentially miss out to Spurs for the cream of the crop that’s out there.
Or take affirmative action in a bid to beat their rivals to the punch.
Things might be about to get very interesting indeed.
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