Julen Lopetegui escapes West Ham United sack thanks to Wolves
West Ham United may only be refraining from sacking Julen Lopetegui thanks to Wolves’ 4-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday.
With Wolves next up for Lopetegui’s under-fire side following their own 3-1 defeat to Leicester City, the Hammers board may now see 9 December’s match as one they can use to get back to winning ways.
Lopetegui is facing increasing calls for the sack in the wake of huge defeats this season, but with Wolves boss Gary O’Neil also under pressure, the Spaniard could be given a golden opportunity to survive.
Indeed, Sky Sports News reported on Thursday (5 December) that Lopetegui does indeed look set to be in the dugout for that huge showdown.
Wolves being put to the sword by an Everton side which didn’t come close to scoring against the Irons will also be a good sign for the club’s hierarchy, but the onus is on Lopetegui to repay their show of faith.
Julen Lopetegui in last-chance saloon ahead of West Ham v Wolves
With both Lopetegui and former Hammers midfielder O’Neil on the brink of the sack at their clubs going into Monday’s match, West Ham and Wolves is fast-becoming a winner-takes-all clash.
As if the pressure on Lopetegui wasn’t already high enough, he welcomes his former employers – whom he left of his own accord in August 2023 – to East London, where nothing less than three points will do.
While Wolves were dismal in their 4-0 defeat to Everton, it’s worth noting that despite dominating much of the game, the Irons lost 3-1 to a Leicester side who had lost 4-1 themselves three days prior.
The suggestion that Lopetegui has “one more game” to save his job seems to be reflected in the eyes of the boardroom, but in the eyes of many fans – and justifiably so – the Spaniard is all-but finished.
Few would complain if and when Lopetegui is finally shown the door, but with Wolves seemingly set to do the same to O’Neil, Monday’s match could well decide which set of club hierarchies blinks first.
In other West Ham news, one highly-rated manager has ruled himself out of the running to replace Lopetegui in East London.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.