West Ham United sources share Julen Lopetegui sack decision after Chelsea thumping
Julen Lopetegui is “safe for now” in his post at West Ham United despite their poor start to the season, according to GiveMeSport.
The online outline reported via club sources on 22 September that, despite a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the London Stadium making it three home losses in a row, Lopetegui is being given the time to improve.
Lopetegui made two changes to his starting XI prior to facing Chelsea with Lucas Paqueta and new signing Crysencio Summerville coming in, but the change of approach didn’t have the desired effect.
However, the Hammers’ hierarchy – having given the Spaniard over £130million this summer – are not panicking and are willing to allow more time for Lopetegui to figure out his best team.
Julen Lopetegui must start showing signs of progress at West Ham
After five games in the dugout, Lopetegui has just a single win under his belt, with three back-to-back home defeats in a row setting an unwanted early-season record for the under-pressure Hammers boss.
None of Summerville, Guido Rodriguez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka nor Max Kilman covered themselves in glory against Chelsea, while Carlos Soler’s cameo off the bench didn’t bring much inspiration either.
There’s been very little to get excited about on the pitch despite the influx of new signings in East London, casting doubt over both Lopetegui’s management and Tim Steidten’s transfer strategy.
However, the latter won’t be going anywhere any time soon, and thus the onus is now on Lopetegui to get the best out of his new-look squad to justify the heavy investment West Ham have given him.
Formulating a coherent game plan in a new job with so many new players was never going to be easy, but Lopetegui’s lack of progress so far will be starting to set alarm bells ringing.
In other West Ham news, Jason Cundy couldn’t believe what he was seeing on the touchline at the London Stadium on Saturday.
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