Julen Lopetegui is clearly still struggling to command respect at West Ham after being on the end of a blast from Mohammed Kudus.
West Ham just about edged a must-win game against Wolves to keep Julen Lopetegui in the job.
For now at least with widespread reports that Graham Potter is poised to take over from Lopetegui should he fail to win any of the next three games.
The Hammers were a dreadful watch again for the most part and were wide open at the back as usual.
Against a better side West Ham would undoubtedly have been punished.
Lopetegui is also fortunate his side didn’t give away at least one of two strong penalty shouts.
A win is a win as they say but this proved little about Lopetegui’s credentials or where West Ham are going as a team.
Claims of unrest in the ranks have dogged West Ham all season long.
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Lopetegui had a major bust-up with star player Mohammed Kudus at Brentford.
The Ghanian reportedly took exception to the manager saying he was playing for himself and not the team.
Manager Julen Lopetegui of West Ham United gestures during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Lo...
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Lack of respect for Lopetegui clear as Kudus rants at boss
There was a heated row and he was subbed off at half-time. On his return to the bench for the second half Kudus was spotted kicking a chair in the dugout.
Many attributed Kudus’ head loss at Spurs to his frustration at playing under Lopetegui.
He is not alone in having run-ins with the Hammers boss, though. Far from it in fact.
Since the defeat to Leicester, many feel it is telling that several highly detailed stories about fall-outs with players have been leaked to the press.
Jarrod Bowen had to intervene as £32m summer signing Jean-Clair Todibo swung for Lopetegui during a disagreement at half-time of the shambolic 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.
A top club source claims fans have been lied to about chaos behind the scenes at West Ham.
A mutiny in the ranks has seen five top stars – including Kudus – tell the club they want out of West Ham if Lopetegui stays.
The likes of Lucas Paqueta, Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez have been seen aiming dissent at the under pressure manager publicly when substituted.
The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas suggested that there is “mind-blowing stuff” going on behind the scenes contributing to the current situation.
Thomas even stated that “the gloves are off” once Lopetegui has gone and all will be revealed.
The lack of respect for Lopetegui was clear again as Kudus ranted at the West Ham boss.
When Kudus was substituted for Rodriguez in the 86th minute, he did not look happy at all.
The usually reserved attacker was seen, by those watching in the ground and on Sky Sports, angrily tearing off his hand bandage while ranting about the decision to take him off.
Kudus had seen two goals chalked out for offside and had been coming closer to getting on the scoresheet.
Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London Stad...
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
West Ham unrest once again there for all to see
He could be seen disagreeing with being taken off, ranting and shaking his head.
Then, as he walked past Lopetegui on the way off, Kudus shouted something in the manager’s direction which caused the Spaniard to look over at him.
There was no embrace or handshake between the pair either.
Of course you don’t want to see players being happy to come off.
But bearing in mind Kudus has only just come back from a five-game ban, you’d expect him to be more convivial.
Kudus’ general demeanour on the pitch was also noted by fans.
It perhaps says a lot on how he feels about playing for Lopetegui with many fans remarking that he doesn’t look like he is enjoying himself anymore.
It is deeply worrying that Lopetegui seems to command such little respect from so many of his players.
Especially from one of the club’s biggest assets and top talents.
If that was West Ham’s players fighting to save their manager – particularly in the first half – then the performance speaks volumes.
Several players simply don’t look happy Hammers
Wolves could argue they looked the better side for much of the game.
West Ham’s tactics seemed to amount to passing it to Kudus, Bowen or Crysencio Summerville and hoping they do something special.
Bowen in particular carried the Hammers to this unconvincing win.
The fact West Ham were 2-1 up and Kudus was visibly angry at being substituted late on is damning and revealing about the manager’s standing in the dressing room.
This kind of thing happened perhaps once in all of David Moyes’ time at the club for example.
Under Lopetegui it is a regular occurrence. If that’s what players are doing publicly then imagine what it is like behind the scenes, away from the cameras.
Niclas Fullkrug called out a lack of leadership and hierarchy at West Ham and particularly at the training ground.
This was yet more evidence of how that manifests itself when it matters most – on matchdays.
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