Simon Jordan reacts to what Lopetegui did at West Ham – ‘Bunfight’
Julen Lopetegui attending his usual pre-match press conference while on the brink of the sack at West Ham would have been a “bunfight”, according to Simon Jordan.
Speaking on talkSPORT (8 January, 10:21am), Jordan and Jim White reacted to the news that with Lopetegui set to be replaced by Graham Potter, his press conference on Wednesday had been cancelled.
Lopetegui was still present at Rush Green taking training as the Hammers’ hierarchy line up a long-term deal for Potter to succeed him [Alan Nixon, 8 January], but Jordan suggested cancelling the press conference was a wise move.
White said: “Outlets are running a line that Lopetegui actually wanted to take the media conference this afternoon, but that is now no longer happening.”
Jordan added: “He shouldn’t be taking media conferences – it’s going to be a bunfight. What’s he going to answer, what’s be going to be asked?
“We all know it’s just going to be a deluge, and the West Ham PR function – for what it’s worth – is not going to want any of that, is it?”
Julen Lopetegui sack signals the end of an error at West Ham
Lopetegui taking questions from the media on Wednesday would indeed have been a disaster for the Hammers from a PR perspective, especially with Potter waiting in the wings to replace him [Jack Rosser, 7 January].
The Spaniard has been under pressure both from the media and those within the London Stadium – not least the Irons’ disgruntled fanbase – almost since taking the job, and will finally be relieved of his duties.
The board’s handling of Lopetegui’s entire 22-game tenure has been hardly satisfactory, with the 58-year-old having been on the brink of the sack numerous times, but no clear successors lined up.
Disagreements between Tim Steidten, David Sullivan and others over which direction the club should move in next have likely prevented the decision being made sooner, missing out on ample candidates.
Having finally landed on Potter as the man to take them forward, the Hammers’ board must be ready to face the ire of their fans after Lopetegui led them down a six-month path of wasted potential.
In other West Ham news, a forgotten Irons man is heading for the exit with an interested club’s directors ready to sanction a deal.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channelfor instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.