Mohammed Kudus could save Julen Lopetegui just in the nick of time at West Ham
Julen Lopetegui may have been saved at West Ham United at just the right time following Mohammed Kudus’ recent return.
Kudus was a bright spark on his comeback from a five-game FA ban despite the 3-1 defeat to Leicester City [3 December], which left Lopetegui’s job on the precipice.
The Ghanaian dictated play going forward and was twice denied a goal by the offside flag in the vital 2-1 win over Wolves on Monday night [9 December], as Lopetegui overcame Gary O’Neil in the nationally-dubbed ‘El Sackico’.
Kudus has overcome intense adversity with his national team during his domestic ban, with Ghana having failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 for the first time in 10 tournaments, but now looks to be revived to his best form when Lopetegui needs him most.
Mohammed Kudus helping save his head coach at West Ham
Kudus’ double moment of headloss as West Ham capitulated at Tottenham on 19 October was indicative of the club under Lopetegui’s reign as head coach to that point.
The Spaniard’s job security has been hanging by a thread ever since, but the triumph over his former club – inspired in part by Kudus alongside the immense Jarrod Bowen – brightens the mood around East London at least for the time being.
Kudus was slapped with a ban of five games following his episode at Spurs, and a suspension any longer to rule him out of Monday against Wolves would have vastly decreased Lopetegui’s chances of a vital victory, consequently potentially bringing his P45.
It is easy to tell how much the international heartache affected Kudus. He captained the Black Stars for part of that failed campaign, which ended with supporter apathy to the extent they were ironically cheering when Ghana conceded to Niger in their final, dead-rubber qualifying fixture.
Shouldering that responsibility will help his resilience in the long run, which could well be a huge boost for Lopetegui and his club.
The Hammers did it for Michail Antonio on Monday night, but they also rallied when it mattered for their head coach.
And given a defeat might have seen the Spaniard sacked, his return may have could just in the nick of time to save him.
In other West Ham news, the latest on Real Betis’ pursuit of Guido Rodriguez.
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