Julen Lopetegui issues West Ham message after sack decision
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has insisted that he can still turn things around despite speculation about his future.
The Spaniard is under heavy pressure at the London Stadium and could be sacked if the Hammers fail to beat Wolves on Monday.
The contest on 9 December is being labelled as ‘El Sackico’ with Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil facing the sack if his side does not win [The Telegraph, 5 December].
However, Lopetegui was defiant in his pre-match press conference [6 December], saying: “I have a big commitment in my work as always. I am very happy to stay at West Ham. We are going to change the situation. That is why we are working, to be ready for Monday.”
Can Lopetegui turn Hammers fortunes around?
Football commentator Ian Darke told West Ham Zone that the Hammers could benefit if they stick with the former Wolves man.
There was hope that the Irons could push on and had found their identity after the victory against Newcastle.
However, embarrassing defeats to title-challenging Arsenal and newly-promoted Leicester have dampened that excitement.
The Hammers next four matches are against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton, Lopetegui must to pick up as many points as possible if he is to stay in the dugout.
The Irons face Liverpool and Manchester City following that but if he can establish an identity and gain a decent amount of points before then, it could be enough to get supporters and the board back on side.
It is an unlikely task but not impossible and he sounds like he is up for the fight.
In other West Ham news, Dan Plumley has given his verdict on a potential Mohammed Kudus sale.
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