West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been hit by personal tragedy with the death of his father ahead of the game against Brighton.
West Ham welcome Brighton to east London in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Seagulls have been a bogey team for the Hammers since their promotion to the top flight.
It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for West Ham and their manager Julen Lopetegui.
Michail Antonio’s car crash rocked the club 11 days ago.
That was followed by tragic news that Academy Under 15s goalkeeper Oscar Fairs lost his battle with cancer on Friday.
The great and good of the football world have rallied around West Ham.
Results against Wolves and Bournemouth have kept Lopetegui at the Hammers helm amid intense speculation over his future.
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Now the club’s preparations for the London Stadium clash with Brighton have been put into perspective.
It is another dark day for West Ham after the death of Lopetegui’s father was confirmed.
Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United looks on ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Hammers boss Lopetegui flies home after father’s death
The Spaniard flew home to be with his family after receiving the news yesterday.
Jose Antonio Lopetegui was 94 and had been ill for some time.
A famous strongman in his homeland, Jose Antonio was the West Ham manager’s idol and hero.
So his death, as you would expect when anyone loses a parent regardless of their age, will have hit Lopetegui hard.
Confirming the sad news to Hammers News, the club stated it did not know whether the manager would be in the dugout for West Ham’s game against Brighton.
That would be totally understandable of course.
Especially as funerals in Spain are traditionally held within 24-48 hours.
Lopetegui’s assistant Pablo Sanz would be primed to step in and lead the side, as he did when Lopetegui received a touchline ban recently.
But now a major Lopetegui update from West Ham highlights the true measure of the man.
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London Stadium...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Major Lopetegui update from highlights true measure of the man
Lopetegui would be well within his rights to miss the Hammers’ clash with the Seagulls.
As West Ham have been reminded over the last couple of weeks, there are more important things in life than football.
Lopetegui won a number of the club’s fans over with his approach to the game at Bournemouth on Monday night.
The former Spain boss went for the win and even gave two Academy stars – Ollie Scarles and Kaelan Casey – time on the pitch.
With the game in the balance too.
That went down really well with Hammers supporters, who have been critical of the fact Lopetegui has not used any club-trained players this season.
Now respect levels for the manager will rise even further.
Because West Ham have confirmed to Hammers News that Lopetegui intends to be back on Friday, ready to lead the team for Brighton.
“The manager plans to be back Friday,” a key senior London Stadium contact told Hammers News.
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London Stadium...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Lopetegui shows his commitment to West Ham
That really does say so much about Lopetegui.
It shows his dedication to West Ham despite everything he has going on with the loss of his father.
Hammers fans would have respected the manager’s decision either way.
But this deserves special recognition.
While Lopetegui may still have plenty of doubters to win over with his team’s performances on the pitch, as a man he’s proved that he’s one of great character.
It certainly paints the boss in a different light to stories that have been leaking from the dressing room about bust-ups and unrest.
West Ham’s players must step up now and rally around their boss by putting in a performance that matches his resolve and attitude.
Knowing West Ham’s fans, a rendition of ‘Lopetegui’s claret and blue army’ may get it’s first outing against Brighton to let the manager know they’re with him during this difficult time.
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