Julen Lopetegui is still very much a man under pressure at West Ham United.
Things haven’t gone well for Julen Lopetegui since he arrived at the London Stadium to take over at West Ham.
The results have been dreadful on the whole this season, and the performances even worse.
Lopetegui’s job is said to be far from safe, with the likes of Graham Potter allegedly being lined up to replace him.
The Hammers owners have been reluctant to sack managers midway through seasons.
Manager Julen Lopetegui applauds his players during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Sta...
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The last time that happened was when Manuel Pellegrini was let go in December 2019.
West Ham fans have accepted that that’s how the owners work, although I don’t agree with it.
However, it has actually been claimed that Lopetegui could be sacked if the Hammers fail to beat Southampton on Boxing Day.
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Will that really be the case though?
West Ham reporter’s disheartening Julen Lopetegui sack update
Lopetegui has bought himself some time with five points from our last three games against Wolves, Bournemouth and Brighton.
However, despite some small improvements, the performances have still been nowhere near good enough.
The way forward for the Hammers is obvious if you ask me – sack Lopetegui and bring someone in who is more suited to what we need.
It’s been painfully clear to see that we’ve actually regressed this season, and that’s saying something given our performances during the second-half of the 2023/24 campaign.
So where does Lopetegui stand? Could we see the back of him imminently?
According to a report from The Athletic, the West Ham owners hope to avoid sacking Lopetegui at all costs.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand this short-term thinking mindset.
Keeping the hapless Spaniard in charge will end up costing the owners more in the long-term, through a lack of success.
Personally, I would love David Sullivan to go to Brentford and pay them the £9 million required to bring Thomas Frank to the London Stadium.
Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United, gestures during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC ...
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
However, that probably won’t happen, so I’ll take anyone from Graham Potter, Michael Carrick, Maurizio Sarri or Max Allegri.
One thing is certain in my eyes. If Julen Lopetegui remains in charge at West Ham, we are set for a season of mid-table mediocrity at best.
The Spaniard has been in charge of the Hammers for nearly six months now, and is still yet to implement a clear footballing identity…let that sink in.
Lopetegui was the wrong appointment from the start as far as I’m concerned – he’s just a bad fit for the football club.
Frustratingly though, it seems like the Hammers board are prepared to accept the mediocrity being served up by the 58-year-old.
And that my friends, is incredibly disheartening.
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