Julen Lopetegui sack at West Ham inevitable if selection call made v Newcastle
West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui must drop Michail Antonio from the starting XI against Newcastle United if he is to keep his job.
The former Wolves manager is under heavy pressure at the London Stadium following a poor start to the season with the Hammers winning three, drawing three and losing five of their opening 11 Premier League matches and sitting 14th.
It was reported by The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg [20 November] that the Spaniard must secure positive results from the Irons’ next two games against Newcastle and Arsenal to avoid the sack.
Michail Antonio must not start for West Ham v Newcastle United
As pressure continues to mount on Lopetegui, he needs to be ruthless and axe Antonio for the 25 November contest.
The Jamaica international has already had a tough week, revealing that he missed the Reggae Boyz 4-2 loss to the United States because he misplaced his passport.
The 34-year-old has steadily declined in recent seasons, scoring 13 goals in the last three seasons after three successive ten goal seasons between 2019 and 2022.
His assist numbers have also nosedived, with six in the last three campaigns compared to 16 from 2019-2022.
His one goal and one assist this season is simply not good enough and Danny Ings should take his spot in the starting XI until Niclas Fullkrug returns from injury.
It may be too late for the Spaniard to save his job regardless of his selection decisions, but he needs to do something to give himself a chance.
In other West Ham news, a Champions League finalist has been sounded out as Lopetegui’s replacement if they decide to sack the Spaniard.
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