Paul Merson has delivered one of the most astonishing claims about West Ham and Julen Lopetegui that will strike a chord with fans.
West Ham were widely expected to have sacked Julen Lopetegui last week.
The Hammers were beaten 3-1 at Leicester and fans fully turned on the Spaniard.
West Ham’s board called an emergency meeting two days later.
Opinion was split and in the absence of a majority decision, David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky elected to give the manager one last chance.
But against the wishes of fans, the Hammers hierarchy elected to give Lopetegui one more game.
That put the club’s support into a bizarre purgatory where they felt failing to beat Wolves might be the best result for the long term if it resulted in the manager’s sacking..
As West Ham have tended to do when Lopetegui has been faced with a “must win” game – they picked up a victory.
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The result was extremely fortunate to say the least.
West Ham’s performance was actually worse than they put in against Leicester.
Neither fans or owners were impressed. The Hammers hierarchy have since spoken out demanding immediate improvement.
General view outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Ipswich Town FC. Inset, David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky, Tim Steidten, and Julen Lopetegui.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Merson’s brutal claim about West Ham owners’ imminent plans
Before Wolves, a top club insider claimed Lopetegui had been tasked with winning the next four.
West Ham go to high-flying Bournemouth on Monday night and then face Brighton at home.
So that will be a very difficult task indeed.
Many feel the Hammers could face two chastening defeats based on their performances in their last three matches.
Some West Ham fans have blasted the owners for putting them in a position of feeling so conflicted about their beloved team.
The strength of feeling against Lopetegui also appears to be shared by many of the players too.
The likes of Mohammed Kudus, Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullrkug, Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez are also reportedly demanding to leave if Lopetegui remains in charge.
Now brutal Paul Merson has made an incredible claim about what West Ham’s owners plan to do with Lopetegui.
Paul Merson working for Sky Sports TV during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 4, 2022...
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Wolves win was bad for West Ham says Merson
It one of the most forthright takes on West Ham you will see all season, Merson has savaged Lopetegui.
He says he feels sorry for Hammers fans.
And Merson even states that the victory over Wolves was the worst result for West Ham because it kept Lopetegui in the job.
But supporters won’t have to wait much longer to see the back of the ex Spain manager.
That’s according to the pundit, who is predicting a 3-1 defeat for West Ham at the Vitality and Lopetegui’s sacking won’t be far behind.
Merson believes West Ham sack inevitable soon for Lopetegui
“I’m going to say that the win over Wolves was a bad result for West Ham and that’s only because it keeps Julen Lopetegui on the job!” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“I’m sure most West Ham fans feel the same way as me. It prolongs his stay and that’s not very promising for West Ham if I’m being honest.
“I can’t see them beating Bournemouth here. Five out of six games West Ham play after Christmas are all London derbies. I’m not sure how they will fare in all of them.
“This could end up being a very difficult run for Lopetegui, maybe the one that finally costs him his job.”
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