West Ham badge, Julen Lopetegui
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui (credit: Imago)
Pete Hanson
Sun 8 December 2024 16:10, UK
West Ham have reason for encouragement and can still be a success under Julen Lopetegui, Sunday Mirror journalist Andy Dunn has said.
The Spaniard is facing increased scrutiny on his position at the London Stadium and a bad result against fellow strugglers Wolves on Monday (9 December) could see the board wield the axe.
However, Dunn – writing in the Sunday Mirror (9 December, pg 64) – thinks the criticism of Lopetegui has been “harsh” and has seen enough to think he can get it right with the Irons.
“Admittedly, I do not have to watch West Ham United every week – but the amount of flak that has gone the way of Julen Lopetegui does seem a bit harsh,” he wrote.
“True, he has lost half of the 14 Premier League matches for which he has been in charge, but 14 Premier League matches is not a sufficient sample to judge any manager.
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“And there has been enough encouragement in West Ham’s four Premier League wins this season to suggest Lopetegui might yet be a success.”
Julen Lopetegui on the chopping block in West Ham v Wolves
By his own admission, Dunn does not have to watch the Irons every week.
If he did, then it is fair to say his opinion on Lopetegui would be wildly different to this. No one wants to see a manager sacked, no one wants to see a manager fail, but when there are few signs that things can better it is only natural to call for a change.
The decision to move on David Moyes, in the end, was probably the right one just in the sense that there was a seeming divide in the fanbase and it felt like the right time to try something new.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]
The issue is, the appointment of Lopetegui didn’t really feel like anything new, it just felt like a continuation of the old, only without the consistency that Moyes enjoyed.
It seems a surprise Lopetegui is getting the Wolves game to save himself. Even with a win in that one you feel all it is doing is delaying the inevitable.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are ready to test the resolve of European giant with bid for midfield ace familiar to the Premier League.
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