Julen Lopetegui gets new West Ham job timeline after sack updates
Julen Lopetegui has potentially secured his job for the next few weeks at West Ham United after beating Wolves, Troy Deeney says.
The former Watford striker believes the Spanish head coach has bought himself some time after the Hammers’ 2-1 win over Gary O’Neil’s men in the Premier League on Monday [9 December].
While Deeney expects the Hammers to get the better of a team like Wolves, Lopetegui has made it to his Team of the Week because of the sack pressure he had been under.
In his BBC Team of the Week column [9 December], the ex-forward wrote: “I nearly didn’t give it to him.
“West Ham should be beating teams like Wolves, but there was a lot of pressure on Lopetegui. I have given him a bit of stick, but it was a massive win that potentially keeps him in a job for the next few weeks.”
Julen Lopetegui lucky to still be at West Ham United
The Spaniard is arguably one of the luckiest people around, having survived so long at London Stadium despite calls for his departure.
During the 3-1 loss to Leicester City on 3 December at the King Power, the Hammers’ faithful even chanted for the 58-year-old’s sacking.
The Irons haven’t put in many decent performances this season, and things weren’t different against Wolves, as a 72nd-minute Jarrod Bowen strike was needed to get the three points.
West Ham were fortunate though, with several refereeing calls going in their favour during the win.
The Hammers have increased the gap between them and the relegation zone with the victory, but considering the quality the Irons boast, they shouldn’t be in such a precarious position to begin with.
David Sullivan should’ve gotten rid of the Spaniard weeks ago, but the chairman’s inability to make a swift decision may prove costly.
Lopetegui’s sack is inevitable, and the victory over Wolves gives him more undeserved time in the London Stadium dugout.
In other West Ham news, Real Betis’ stance on Guido Rodriguez’s return in January has been shared.
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