Alan Pardew to West Ham United return mooted as Julen Lopetegui sack pressure builds
Alan Pardew has admitted he would “happily” return for a second stint at West Ham United to replace Julen Lopetegui.
The Spaniard faces an uncertain future heading into the international break after the 0-0 draw against Everton on Saturday [9 November] further added to the ongoing pressure for a managerial change in East London.
However, when discussing Lopetegui’s credentials live on talkSPORT [10 November, 8:42pm], Pardew essentially threw his hat into the ring for a sensational return to the Hammers.
He said: “I’d happily go back.”
Who could replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham United?
While Pardew would jump at a return to West Ham, the sentiment is not returned with the supporters desperate to see free-flowing attacking football on display at the London Stadium.
The 63-year-old took charge of the Irons for three years between 2003 and 2006 with mixed success.
He lost the Championship play-off final in his first season before winning it the year after and, of course, lost the famous 2006 FA Cup final after Steven Gerrard unleashed a long-range 91st-minute equaliser and Liverpool won the penalty shootout.
Unfortunately for Pardew, he will not be under consideration of David Sullivan, if he is indeed tasked with appointing a new leader in East London.
Jose Mourinho has recently admitted his desire to return to his “home” of London after his spell at Fenerbache and could see the Hammers as an ideal landing spot.
Thomas Frank, meanwhile, has been touted to take the “obvious” step up to West Ham from Brentford, and former FC Porto boss Sergio Conceicao has returned into the frame after he was snubbed in the race to succeed David Moyes.
There are plenty of viable options willing to make the move for Sullivan to mull over but he must make the right appointment this time around after investing so much over the summer to back Lopetegui, all to no avail.
The Spaniard is expected to remain at the helm throughout the international break and be granted one last roll of the dice to find a consistent run of form in the Premier League.
However, after only three wins in 11 outings this year, in all likelihood, he will be packing his bags in East London before the turn of the New Year.
In other West Ham news, a Julen Lopetegui update at the Irons has left one talkSPORT broadcaster stunned.
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