West Ham badge, Julen Lopetegui
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]
Carla Devine
Wed 25 December 2024 10:10, UK
Scott Minto believes Julen Lopetegui is still under pressure at West Ham with a replacement ready and waiting to be his successor.
Although it looked like the Spaniard was going to be sacked from his job only weeks ago, a couple of solid results seem to have taken the immediate pressure off Loptegui at The London Stadium.
However, with a tough run of games ahead, Minto insists that Graham Potter is looming and ready to take over if needed for the Hammers.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [24 December, 11:27], he said: “Ultimately it’s about winning football and West Ham, where they are in 14th, I still don’t see as style as well as winning I mean Jarrod Bowen was the one who stepped up.
“I was at that Wolves game, I was working on it. West Ham weren’t better than Wolves, it’s just that there was a moment of magic from him and he has been nothing short of sensational.
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“And then to be fair, two good draws against Bournemouth and Brighton as well, two good sides but I think these next few games are going to be absolutely crucial.
“Southampton away, I’m telling you now West Ham will be expected to win that one but that won’t be easy with a new manager there. Liverpool at home, City away. Whatever you say about City, that’s not going to be easy and then Villa away in the FA Cup.
“If they get knocked out of the FA Cup, with Graham Potter looming I still think that’s not a million miles away from happening”
Julen Lopetegui still seeking safety at West Ham?
Although the Spaniard has managed to take the pressure off his shoulders for now, there is no doubt that Lopetegui still has to prove himself to people to be given the space to breathe.
There are certainly some tough games ahead for the Hammers and with that in mind, three points against a struggling Southampton side are vital to provide them with some credit in the bank.
However, expectations have to be managed somewhat with a win against a flying Liverpool side unlikely.
What the Irons need to make sure of though is that they are not thrashed in the game and remain as tight to their opponents as possible.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in 2023.
When there were discussions surrounding the manager’s future in East London, Potter was a name that was linked but with the suggestion of him being there looming, you would rather just see the directors at the club decide to change it now.
If David Sullivan is going to stick with his current man then he has to be prepared to show him support in the January transfer window rather than letting him have the window and then giving someone else his squad to manage.
In other West Ham news, Tim Steidten could solve a Hammers issue after January transfer news emerges.
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