A dismal 3-1 defeat at Leicester City had left the future of the Hammers head coach seriously in doubt before his worry and woe was compounded by Michail Antonio’s horrific car crash at the weekend.
“These last few days have been very difficult,” admitted the under-pressure boss after dedicating the 2-1 win over his former club to the 21-cap Jamaican international striker.
“Tonight was for Michail and his family. He is a very special person for us and I am sure that he can overcome his injuries and come back from this.”
Having undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following Saturday afternoon’s awful accident, Antonio had spoken to his team-mates via video link from his hospital bed before the crucial clash against the relegation-threatened Midlanders.
“Michail was not at his best, of course, but he still had his humour and it was a special moment for the team when we spoke to him,” added Lopetegui.
“He had a big accident and, fortunately, he’s still alive because when you look at the terrible photographs of his car, things could’ve been much, much worse.
"This is a good example for all young players because it goes to show just how quickly life can change.”
West Ham United may have kicked-off in 14th spot, five places and six points above the visitors, but both the Spaniard and his successor at Molineux – former Hammers midfielder Gary O’Neil – had come into a contest dubbed ‘El Sackico’ walking the managerial tightrope.
Although there was 60 seconds of heartfelt applause in the ninth minute for West Ham's no.9 Antonio, the crowd had little else the clap during a cagey, goalless first half of few chances.
But on 54 minutes, Tomáš Souček broke the deadlock when he met skipper Jarrod Bowen’s deep corner with a far-post header to claim his fourth goal of the campaign.
And while Matt Doherty levelled a quarter-of-an-hour later, within just three minutes matchwinner Bowen had fired home his fifth goal of the season to secure three precious points to possibly turn down the heat on Lopetegui for the time being, at least.
“Tonight was a very important victory for us, Wolves are a special team for me and we ran, we fought and we created chances," he said.
"Jarrod’s goal was a key moment for us because we showed the character and mentality to come back quickly from the bad moment of conceding one ourselves.
“After that it was important to keep our focus to make sure we got the three points and, in the end, we deserved to win."
The Hammers now sit nine points clear of the drop zone ahead of a trip to AFC Bournemouth on Monday (8pm).
Lopetegui said: “I am happy and so are the fans and now we must look forward to our next match.”