West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui must beat his former club Wolves to keep his job on Monday night and he is full of praise for Molineux replacement Gary O'Neil
Julen Lopetegui will likely be sacked if West Ham lose to Wolves on Monday.
Julen Lopetegui will likely be sacked if West Ham lose to Wolves on Monday. (
Image: PA)
Julen Lopetegui understood the question but it was not one he could answer.
West Ham ’s beleaguered head coach faces Wolves tomorrow night knowing defeat will bring his brief time in East London to an end.
But when asked if he had sympathy for Gary O’Neil - who is also sat on a stool in the Last Chance Saloon - because of the circumstances at Molineux Lopetegui chose his words very carefully.
The wounds from his acrimonious departure on the eve of last season have not healed. Yet among some kind words there was one subtle dig at the issue to have upset him most, which is now affecting O’Neil - transfers.
“Each year they sell one big player,” Lopetegui said before returning to the script and praising his replacement.
“I know he's a very good coach. That's the only thing I can say. They are a good team and deserve many more points.”
Lopetegui has been a master of deflection during a difficult period at West Ham - even if he made a point of stressing recent performances are his responsibility and not the players’.
But how sweet would it be for him to quieten his critics and inflict more woe on his old side?
“We have enough motivation,” he said. “We don't need any extra, believe me. It's always there. We don't need extra. I understand the question but it doesn't work like this. Each match is enough motivation for us.
“It was a very good time and very good memories [at Wolves] but now we're in another team, a team where we have the responsibility to do better and to face them.”
Julen Lopetegui has only been in charge for 14 league games. (
Image:
BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tomorrow will also be Maximilian Kilman’s first time facing his former club since moving to the East End in a £40m deal.
The centre back’s inconsistent form has mirrored that of the entire West Ham team and the rotation of Dinos Mavropanos and Jean Clair Todibo as his partner has not helped.
But Lopetegui remains convinced that the 27-year-old will continue to grow in stature at the heart of a defence struggling to build chemistry.
“The club signed him because we have a good opinion of his strengths and personality,” Lopetegui added. “I think he will develop and continue improving and helping himself and the team for sure.
“The partner he has, he has to be able to do his best. They always have to work together and with a good connection. They always have to do this for the best work. He's able to work with Dinos and Todibo. And Dinos and Todibo can work together too.”
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