Julen Lopetegui sack decision made at West Ham United amid ‘deep concern’ after Tottenham loss
Julen Lopetegui’s start as West Ham boss has caused “deep concern” at the club but he is not in danger of an imminent sacking, Jacob Steinberg reports.
According to the Guardian journalist via the paper’s website on 21 October the Spaniard’s job currently remains safe despite the weekend’s 4-1 loss at Tottenham adding to “growing alarm” at the season so far.
Despite being left 15th in the Premier League after the latest loss the Hammers hierarchy are said to be “keen” to give the former Wolves manager time as he is looking to implement a new style while bedding in 10 new summer signings.
David Moyes replacement struggles at West Ham
There may come a time where the Irons turn a corner under the ex-Spain and Real Madrid boss and the early growing pains all prove to be worth it.
But nobody could argue that the scale of the struggles so far this term were what was expected following a summer of recruitment to overhaul the squad left behind by David Moyes.
The former manager appeared to have run his course at the London Stadium but his overall record in charge, including the Europa Conference League win in 2023, made moving on from him a decision which split fans and pundits.
Freed from the Scot’s pragmatic ways and bolstered by Tim Steidten’s window of spending this was supposed to be a new, more dynamic, West Ham.
But so far it is tricky to see what is being built as Lopetegui’s men are struggling throughout the line up.
An uplifting 4-1 win over Ipswich Town prior to the international break looked like it might be a turning point, with the attacking unit thriving on 5 October.
But that has not proven to be the case, and the fact that those who looked so impressive that day, Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, and Mohammed Kudus, were all part of Moyes’ squad may have been instructive.
The Ghanian star opened the scoring against Spurs but now might be facing an extended ban after his explosive red card at the end of the game, to further add to Lopetegui’s worries.
Without an obvious contingency plan, and so soon after spending over £100million on signings for the new man, it might be premature to pull the plug already, but he is going to need signs of growth soon or there may be no option.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are ready to make a move to sign a seven-figure ace whose club is prepared to listen to offers for.
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