Lopetegui to get ‘one more game’ as West Ham manager amid sack news
West Ham United shouldn’t sack Julen Lopetegui yet despite no real signs of improvement on the pitch, Gabby Agbonlahor has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (5 December, 7:23am) Agbonlahor argued that while it’s understandable that the Spaniard is under pressure, he deserves at least one more game to turn things around.
Lopetegui’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat at Leicester City on 3 December following a 5-2 home thrashing by Arsenal four days prior, making next Monday’s clash with Wolves a must-win for the Hammers.
Agbonlahor said: “You can see why the pressure’s on, this isn’t improving – West Ham fans and the board wanted West Ham to go to the next level.
“I would give him Monday, I would, (against) a struggling Wolves. Don’t forget they went and beat Newcastle away from home – that was a great performance.
“I wouldn’t rush into it if I was West Ham, I would give Lopetegui one more game.”
Julen Lopetegui walking the tightrope at West Ham United
Monday’s home match against Wolves could prove to be the final time Lopetegui occupies the home dugout at the London Stadium, with the club’s board debating whether or not to show him the door [Kaveh Solhekol, 4 December].
Although they produced their best performance of the season to beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park, and dominated large swathes of their loss to Leicester, the last week or so has typified their inconsistency.
Being put to the sword by Arsenal in ruthless fashion between those two games, the Irons conceded four times in 36 minutes, making Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson’s goals nothing more than consolation.
Shipping a further three to Leicester despite having 31 shots of their own is frankly inexcusable, and with such erratic performances at both ends, it’s no surprise to see the wolves are at the door for Lopetegui.
The Wolves in question – Lopetegui’s former employers – are mired in the bottom three and in awful form themselves, but given how unpredictable the Hammers are, that may not matter at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, an Irons loanee could be set for an early return to East London after failing to impress at his new club.
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