Julen Lopetegui latest at West Ham United as key David Sullivan update shared
David Sullivan is the “key reason” that Julen Lopetegui remains in charge at West Ham United, GiveMeSport reports.
According to the news outlet [22 November], the Hammers owner has remained supportive of the under-fire boss and is determined to allow Lopetegui the required time to turn around his fortunes in East London.
However, Sullivan could well be running out of patience as The Guardian [20 November] reports that the board held “internal discussions” during the international break regarding potential replacements.
David Sullivan is being self-destructive at West Ham United
The West Ham owner is hardly the most liked man in East London, and he will undoubtedly tarnish his stock with the supporters even further if he does not get a hold of the situation at the London Stadium.
Sullivan is not one to loosen the purse strings unless his hand is forced, and his reported support of an undeserving Lopetegui may very well be to avoid the “hefty payoff” out of his back pocket [BBC Sport] should the Spaniard’s tenure reach an abrupt end.
However, it has since been claimed that he will not sanction the sale of captain Jarrod Bowen “for any price”, so it begs the question of where this bullish approach to finances is when Lopetegui’s future is in question.
He had no problem retracting the contract offer for former boss David Moyes after the 4-3 loss against this weekend’s opponents, Newcastle United, last term, and the Irons are in arguably a far worse position in the Premier League, only five points clear of safety.
Sullivan paints himself as a figurehead going through the motions in East London; his reactive rather than proactive approach is damaging West Ham, potentially beyond repair, the longer Lopetegui can call the shots.
West Ham playing Championship football next season would be a catastrophic reality. Still, the longer Sullivan allows this possibility, the more likely the supporters will come for his head regardless of what happens with Lopetegui.
In other West Ham news, Darren Bent was stunned at what he learned about Hammers ace Jarrod Bowen.
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