Julen Lopetegui new sack verdict as West Ham United mood ‘Strange’
West Ham United supporters aren’t sure how to react to Julen Lopetegui, Dean Ashton says.
The ex-Hammer was in attendance at London Stadium on 21 December during the 1-1 draw with Brighton in the Premier League and felt a “strange atmosphere”.
Supporters chanted for the Spanish manager’s sacking earlier in the season after the loss to Leicester, and Ashton feels the Irons faithful are conflicted about the 58-year-old head coach.
Speaking on talksSPORT’s Premier League All Access [24 December], Ashton said: “Alex Crook and I were there at their last home game, and it’s another game I’ve been to that has had a really strange atmosphere.
“Supporters aren’t quite sure how to take this manager and change of style, which we’re still trying to see. They’re trying to control games a bit more but without going anywhere. It’s more the defence that are keeping the ball into midfield. We’re still seeing a counter-attacking style when they attack.”
Julen Lopetegui sack at West Ham United a matter of time
While a lot of the London Stadium faithful felt it was the right time to part ways with David Moyes in the summer, Lopetegui’s arrival wasn’t met with much fanfare.
While the Spaniard had a decent pedigree managing Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolves, his stint in the Premier League wasn’t anything to rave about.
The 58-year-old was handed quality reinforcement to his squad in the summer with Tim Steidten buying the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Guido Rodriguez and Crysencio Summerville.
West Ham should be competing for a European spot with the team they have, but are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
The Hammers are 14th in the English top flight and have won just five of their matches in the league this season.
After Moyes’ departure, the Irons faithful wanted to see more modern, progressive football, but Lopetegui has failed to provide that, and his sacking seems like a matter of time.
Failure to win against Southampton on Boxing Day will surely pile the pressure on the 58-year-old.
In other West Ham news, a transfer for Mohammed Kudus in January hasn’t been ruled out.
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