Julen Lopetegui closer to West Ham United sack than he thinks with new talks ready
West Ham United are closer to sacking Julen Lopetegui than he is aware of and are set to hold fresh talks over his future, according to GiveMeSport.
The online source reported on 11 November that Hammers chiefs are preparing new discussions during the international break as pressure continues to mount on the Spaniard [David Ornstein, 11 November].
Lopetegui has won just four of his first 13 matches in all competitions at the helm, suffering some heavy defeats along the way already and being lucky to hold Everton to a 0-0 draw at home last time out.
Poor results and unrest in the fanbase and dressing room have led to the Irons’ hierarchy holding talks over his suitability in the role, and further talks over the next two weeks may prove decisive for Lopetegui.
How much more time will West Ham give Julen Lopetegui?
Playing early-season matches against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are all seen as good chances for a new manager to make a statement upon his arrival.
Unfortunately for Lopetegui, those four clubs easily swept the Irons aside by scorelines of 3-1, 3-0, 5-1 and 4-1 respectively, with Nottingham Forest later adding a 3-0 win of their own.
Those five heavy defeats, four of which came in the Premier League, leave the Irons a lowly fourteenth in the table, with their three victories so far this season all coming via second-half flurries or comebacks.
That’s led to an expectant fanbase becoming utterly disconnected from the passive style of football Lopetegui has implemented [iNews, 12 November], failing miserably on the promise to build on David Moyes’ foundations.
The last international break until March gives the Irons’ board their best possible opening to bring in a new manager, and with few signs of any improvement from Lopetegui, that decision must be made soon.
In other West Ham news, former boss Harry Redknapp has taken aim at the Irons’ recruitment in the summer transfer window.
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