Julen Lopetegui prediction could come back to bite him at West Ham United
Julen Lopetegui wanting to check West Ham’s progress in “two or three months” shows that he overestimates his job security.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of facing Newcastle United on 25 November, Lopetegui said that despite pressure mounting, he wants to be judged in the coming months instead.
While Lopetegui is new to the job and has only managed 13 matches so far this season, the cut-throat nature of the Premier League is unlikely to award him two or three months if results don’t improve.
In quotes reported by the Daily Star (23 November), Lopetegui said: “The only thing I am focused on is Newcastle – we have to improve and overcome the kinds of difficulties we have as a team.
“The rest of it – that’s football – but I’m not focused on that. I am not listening or reading. These things are out of my control.
“We’re working hard, and the players have a big commitment – let’s see where are in two or three months.“
West Ham continuing to back Julen Lopetegui could be disastrous
Lopetegui must be dreaming if thinks he’ll be given “two or three months” of scrutiny-free matches to turn things around at the London Stadium, and if he’s right, the Hammers’ board are just as delusional.
The Irons’ form and footballing displays under the Spaniard so far have been turgid, to say the least, with Lopetegui providing very few signs of improvement or indications that he can reverse their current slide.
While the ex-Wolves boss is hoping for more time to truly develop his style amid a new-look Hammers squad, their upcoming match against Newcastle is already shaping up to be pivotal for his future [David Ornstein, 12 November].
It’s hard to name an existing player whose form has improved under Lopetegui so far, while the declines of players like Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez also suggest that all is not well in East London.
Saying “We’ll see” could prove to be the defining statement of Lopetegui’s tenure, as if the club act and replace him with one of their four-strong shortlist – forever leaving Hammers fans to wait and see what Lopetegui’s vision for their long term future was.
In other West Ham news, the club’s ‘Academy of Football’ is losing its impact after a shocking Premier League statistic emerged.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.