Carragher shares ‘huge’ Lopetegui admission after Newcastle United v West Ham
Jamie Carragher believes West Ham United’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday was more important for Julen Lopetegui than it was for the club.
The Spaniard has been under major pressure since arriving at the London Stadium in the summer, with supporters making their feelings very well-known over the appointment.
With just three victories from the Hammers’ first 11 league matches, Lopetegui was on the verge of losing his job, but that pressure has now eased after the win at St James’ Park on 25 November.
Speaking via Sky Sports on Monday (25 November, 10:00pm), Carragher said: It’s a great result for West Ham. It is a tough game for Manchester City or Liverpool and the odds were stacked against them.
“It is more important for the manager than it is for West Ham. This is a huge result for the manager.”
Julen Lopetegui buys time against West Ham United pressure
David Sullivan has been eager to give the new head coach more time to prove himself, as per GiveMeSport, but even he has been looking at alternative managers, such as Edin Terzic [GiveMeSport].
While a single victory against the Magpies will unlikely be enough to save himself just yet or make him a popular figure amongst the fanbase, the performance had multiple positive signs.
An upcoming clash against Arsenal on Saturday 30 November will show exactly what Lopetegui’s side are capable of against one of the title contenders, especially before a hectic winter period.
The Hammers have now moved six points clear of the relegation zone with all three points, and are even four points behind sixth-placed Tottenham after 12 matches.
Picking up points against Leicester City, Wolves and Southampton over the next few weeks will certainly do him a lot of favours after a slow start to life in East London.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers sent scouts to watch a second Sunderland player after Chris Rigg.
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