Tony Cottee in disbelief over Lopetegui decision at West Ham, names successor
West Ham United must sack Julen Lopetegui immediately after they suffered a “dreadful” 5-0 loss against Liverpool at the London Stadium on Sunday, according to Tony Cottee.
The Irons favourite cannot believe the board have not fired the Spaniard yet and sarcastically asked if they are waiting to suffer a drubbing at Manchester City’s hands and be knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa before making a decision.
He went on to stress the need for the East London outfit to hire Graham Potter right now and back him in the January transfer window if they want to save their season.
“What are the Board waiting for? The 5-0 drubbing at City and being knocked out of the Cup by Villa?!”, Cottee wrote on X (30 December).
“Get Graham Potter in now and give him a chance to save the season and work in the January window.
“Yesterday was dreadful and something has to change. Our fans deserve so much better.”
Could David Sullivan replace Julen Lopetegui with Graham Potter at West Ham?
David Sullivan has a history of being reluctant to sack managers, particularly midway through the season.
The Hammers only hired Lopetegui in the summer and would have to pay him a compensation fee if they were to fire him now, which is probably why Sullivan has not axed him yet.
He has two more games to save his job, according to talkSPORT on Monday (30 December).
However, there are no signs that the former Sevilla manager can turn things around at the London Stadium.
West Ham are currently placed 13th in the Premier League, sitting just nine points above the relegation zone.
While it is hard to see the Irons suffering relegation this season even amidst their struggles, it is sad to see the team battling relegation just over a year after winning the UEFA Conference League.
With Potter available, it does not make sense for Sullivan and co to cling on to Lopetegui with the hope that he can take the team further up the table.
The January transfer window opens later this week and the time is right to hand the keys to Potter, who has been without a job since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023.
In other West Ham news, former FIFA chief Keith Hackett has shared if this Irons star will face a ban after what did against Liverpool.
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