Julen Lopetegui ‘Elite’ verdict dropped in new West Ham United sack admission
Julen Lopetegui is not the “elite” coach that West Ham United needs and the club should seek a new appointment soon, according to Kevin Hatchard.
Lopetegui has fallen far below expectations at the London Stadium this year, leaving supporters questioning the decision to appoint a manager who shares the same characteristics as his predecessor David Moyes.
Hatchard appeared on the Premier League All Access podcast on Monday [11 November, 45:00] and the Sky Sports broadcaster offered his verdict on the Hammers boss when quizzed by presenter Sam Matterface.
He said: “Yeah I think there are a lot that you look, and you think is he that elite coach? And he’s really floundering at the moment because that squad is strong.
“There’s real quality in that squad, I thought they bought really well in the summer, I think [Tim] Steidten’s doing a really good job, they spent a load of money.
“That should be good enough to get much better results and [Lopetegui] doesn’t quite have that – he might have it behind closed doors – but I think when he speaks to the media, he doesn’t quite have that gravitas I don’t think that you would want from somebody of his experience.
“So I think he’s floundering, I think they should make a change but whether they do – we’ll see.”
Can Julen Lopetegui save his job at West Ham United?
Lopetegui will be given the opportunity for one last throw of the dice at West Ham with the board remaining hopeful he can turn around his fortunes at the London Stadium [David Ornstein].
However, the Spaniard has proven time and time again that he is not capable of accomplishing such a feat, as his side sits only six points adrift of the relegation zone heading into the international break.
He enjoyed a welcome that all new managers dream about in East London as the club embarked on a £150m spending spree throughout the summer in the hopes of a European finish this term – he can hardly complain that he has not been backed since his arrival.
Therefore, Lopetegui is out of excuses at the Hammers and can no longer hide away in the face of intense scrutiny – the abysmal start to the season, where the side has won three matches in 11 outings is down to him and him alone.
While Tim Steidten has received the blunt end of the stick for his summer recruitments’ failure to perform for the Irons, ultimately it is up to Lopetegui to coach the players, and his selection choices have left the supporters baffled.
This is perhaps due to the reported state of unrest in the West Ham dressing room [talkSPORT] but once again, the Spaniard is to blame.
All roads lead to Lopetegui and if the Hammers stand any chance of rectifying what has proved to be a null and void campaign, drastic change is needed. David Sullivan must act now before it is too late.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui will be fuming after the latest announcement on Hammers ace Jarrod Bowen.
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