Julen Lopetegui sack decision to be made as West Ham United lose to Chelsea
West Ham have started the Julen Lopetegui era on a sour note and the loss to Chelsea only made things worse for him.
The Blues humiliated the Hammers at the London Stadium on 21 September and beat Lopetegui’s side 3-0.
The lack of structure in the hosts was apparent and it came as no surprise that Enzo Maresca’s side ran out comfortable winners.
West Ham must not sack Julen Lopetegui but he’s got to improve things soon
The Hammers have lost their opening three home games for the first time in history and that’s certainly a huge worry.
That said, despite the disappointing defeat on Saturday, there’s a compelling case for not sacking him immediately.
Lopetegui’s appointment was heralded for his tactical acumen, particularly his ability to implement a possession-based game with a high defensive line, which could eventually transform West Ham into a more competitive side in the Premier League.
Julen Lopetegui may have a few more games to save his West Ham job
His previous stints, especially with Sevilla and Wolves, demonstrate his capability to stabilise and uplift teams, suggesting that his methods need time to take root.
The current lack of structure might reflect a transitional phase rather than a permanent fixture under his management.
However, the Spaniard must quickly adapt his tactics to the squad he inherited and the players he brought in and the league’s demands, focusing on defensive solidity and quicker transitions to attack.
Lopetegui may soon run out of excuses if the Hammers continue slipping in the table and find themselves close to or in the relegation zone after a month or two.
He may have a few more games to save his job and two or three back-to-back defeats may force the board to act.
In other West Ham news, a Ballon d’Or contender made his decision after the Hammers’ attempt to sign him on a free transfer.
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