Tony Cottee delivers ‘crazy’ verdict as Sullivan to make Lopetegui sack decision at West Ham
Tony Cottee concedes West Ham United’s Premier League clash with Everton could be make-or-break for Julen Lopetegui, even though he thinks it is “crazy” that is the case.
The Spaniard has faced renewed scrutiny after an abysmal 3-0 reverse at Nottingham Forest on Saturday (2 November) left the Hammers 14th, albeit with a six-point buffer to the bottom three.
Lopetegui was backed with a heavy summer war chest and former Hammers favourite Cottee, speaking live on talkSPORT (5 November, 7.52am), has not been overly impressed but does not think Hammers owner David Sullivan will be pulling the trigger on his short reign just yet.
“I think the one thing you can say about David Sullivan over his, what is it now? 14-year reign? He’s always been very loyal to his managers and I don’t think David Sullivan will want to sack Lopetegui,” he said to Jeff Stelling on the breakfast show.
“I think there’s a lot of worry among the fans, I mean I’ve been on before Jeff you know my feelings on Lopetegui, he wasn’t the man for me and I don’t believe he should have been given the job in the first place but is it a must-win? You’ve got to say it probably is but it’s been a must-win for the last two home games.
“They had to beat Man Ud, they did, they had to beat Ipswich, they did, so to be so early in the season having must-win games seems a bit crazy to me but they’ve got to get results Jeff.
“There was a lot of money spent, £120million in the summer, and they need to start getting results. The performance at Forest, I watched the game, it was unacceptable.”
Lopetegui knows the pressure is mounting at West Ham
Given the amount of money spent and the expectation levels at the London Stadium before a ball was even kicked this season, you could argue the Hammers have been the most underwhelming side in the top flight this term.
Of course, there are teams performing worse – in some cases much worse – but few teams splashed the cash and backed the manager the way West Ham did in the summer and the return on that investment so far has been nowhere near good enough.
There is a school of thought from some that Lopetegui probably needs more time to reverse the fortunes of his side but there is also a growing number who are already ready to admit a mistake was made with his appointment and a replacement should be drafted in.
The clash with Everton on Saturday (9 November) already feels particularly important. Three points heading into the international break would lift the mood and, potentially, even save Lopetegui’s job.
In other West Ham news, David Moyes’ stance on a London Stadium return has been shared.
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