Lopetegui on alert as two-time title winner flattered by West Ham job links
Matthias Jaissle admits he is flattered by links to the West Ham United manager’s job amid the mounting pressure upon Julen Lopetegui’s head.
The Spaniard has been under constant scrutiny since the start of the season due to the poor performances the Hammers have put in over the last few months.
Many names have been linked with the role, including Al-Ahli manager Jaissle, but David Sullivan would have to fork out some sort of compensation [GiveMeSport, 6 December] if the German was the avenue he wanted to explore.
Speaking to GiveMeSport [27 December], Jaissle – a two-time title winner with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria – shared his thoughts on where his future could lie.
“Being mentioned in relation to West Ham or any high-profile job is obviously flattering,” he said.
“It makes me proud to be linked with top clubs. But I don’t focus on rumours like this. I have an agent who deals with any opportunities, should they arise, and my full focus is on Al-Ahli.
“This is the only job I can currently control and influence. I am committed to Al-Ahli, and I want to achieve something great here.
“I do often think about my own development, and sometimes talk to my agent about the possible next steps and what I dream of.
“But I always reflect on my playing career, and how I made all these future plans, then suddenly the injury came and I had to cancel all my dreams. That’s when I decided to stay in the present.”
Matthias Jaissle the right man for the West Ham United job?
While the prospect of hiring a young and interesting manager might be something that excites Hammers fans, it might not be the best idea.
While his time with RB Salzburg was particularly impressive, it feels like the German still has a lot to prove before earning a Premier League move to a team of West Ham’s calibre.
At the moment, Lopetegui isn’t playing the most enthralling football but things have seemed to take a bit of an upturn in recent weeks, and most of his summer arrivals finally seem to be settling in and finding their mojo.
However, it’s undeniable that West Ham need a boss who can make the most of their attacking talent and perhaps not sit back as much as Lopetegui or even David Moyes did during their stints in charge.
Nothing is yet set in stone, but with the amount of names being linked with the role, it feels like Lopetegui’s time at the London Stadium could soon be up even given this recent upturn in form.
In other West Ham news, Lopetegui’s side are considering a move for a Championship midfielder after a new contract development.
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