Julen Lopetegui Saga: What happened at West Ham yesterday
Yesterday was packed with speculation and breaking news surrounding West Ham United. The day began with reports from Matt Law in The Telegraph and Jack Rosser in The Sun, confirming that Tim Steidten had “stepped away” from the training ground to give Julen Lopetegui space to focus on the squad.
Though Steidten had been absent for two weeks, it was later revealed that the German Technical Director was simply on holiday. That said, reports that TS has been asked to stay away from the training ground were confirmed by multiple sources.
This development comes amidst growing scrutiny of Steidten’s role, with reports suggesting the board is unhappy with some of his recent signings.
Late in the morning, Claret & Hugh broke an exclusive story, reporting that Lopetegui was unlikely to remain in charge much longer, based on discussions with two key sources. We reported the head coach was expected to be dismissed before the league match against Fulham, contradicting earlier reports of a three-game reprieve.
Claret & Hugh also debunked rumours that Lopetegui’s position was more secure than Steidten’s, stating the Spanish manager was at greater risk of losing his job.
By lunchtime, rumours began swirling on social media that Lopetegui’s sacking was imminent. These claims, attributed to an agent and other reliable sources, were echoed by several well-known names. Hammers Chat’s Patreon page then reported that Graham Potter was leading the race to replace Lopetegui on a short-term contract.
As the day went on, speculation intensified, with names like Graham Potter and Steve Cooper dominating discussions. A photo of Steidten and Potter in conversation soon surfaced, fuelling the rumours further. Ironically, Dan Ashworth is tipped to join Potter in his next managerial role.
Steidten & Potter met yesterday in a hotel
Clandestine meeting to replace Lopetegui
Talksport initially reported that Lopetegui had been sacked but later clarified that West Ham had merely decided to part ways with him. Meanwhile, respected journalist Jacob Steinberg revealed that no decision had yet been made, although Graham Potter remained a strong contender.
By evening, Sky Sports News confirmed that West Ham had held talks with Graham Potter. Claret & Hugh later received official confirmation from a top source at the London Stadium that the Talksport report was inaccurate. Lopetegui had not been sacked—yet—but was certainly on borrowed time.
As the night drew to a close it was being widely reported that Potter had been offered the Hammers job with some suggesting he’d asked for 24 hours to consider the position.
It was a day filled with uncertainty and speculation, but one that seems likely to reach a conclusion soon. As ever, Claret & Hugh will continue to provide updates from trusted sources both inside and outside West Ham.
What soulless, gutless and rotten club we’ve become since leaving Upton Park, certainly not the club I loved watching in the 70’s and 80’s. Total embarrassment, interviewing possible replacements, whilst still deliberating over whether to terminate the current manager’s contract. Humiliatingly embarrassing results over the last 12 months and run by self serving bunch of clown’s and so it goes on and on! Laughing stock we supporter’s deserve so much more.
Watched my first game in 1958. Never missed a game in 20 years before moving away. Saw some great matches and some rubbish ones. There was always an atmosphere at Upton Park. Then Sullivan & Co instigated the vanity project that is the London Stadium. No atmosphere, no soul. Never a football stadium. I agree, we are a joke club at the moment and will be until cheapskate Sully and his motley crew clear of. By the way, we are not supporters, we are customers.COYI.
West Ham are a stepping-stone club where players are concerned, any top quality players they manage to bring in, use them to go on to bigger clubs.
What a shambles of a football club.
Steve Cooper ???? tell Sullivan I’m available……
If it’s true Potter is going to be the next manager, surely the club should relieve Lopetegui of his duties immediately,
Noble to manage the team against Villa with Potter in the stands and to take over against Fulham onwards to the end of the season
This is all manufactured by social media, a lot of it coming from abroad judging by the names involved. Musk will probably muscle in next! The club have said nothing and this affects many clubs eg Man U, Spurs, Wolves, Palace, Southampton. In fact any club not doing as well as supporters expect.
Hounding out current manager is not a good especially as Potter seems the heir apparant so God help us!
Exactly who thought that Lopetegui was the right appointment in the first place ? Nobody did, everyone accepted the fait accompli and genuinely hoped for the best.
Nobody thought it the right appointment but few can have envisaged it being quite the disaster it has panned out to be.
It’s been obvious to the vast majority for what seems an eternity that things were not going to improve, yet the poor decision to appoint in the first place was exacerbated by an ongoing decision to hope for the best and to do nothing.
The aims look to have been to appoint a freebie in the first place then to avoid paying compo if at all possible. Penny pinching that has ended up costing a fortune and quite likely this season too.
Even when it gets to the point where it cannot go on any longer it’s like a series of leaks over what looks like to be a few days rather than a sudden decorous announcement.
Is it possible to have gone about all of this more amateurishly ?
No income tax, no VAT
No money back, no guarantee
Black or white, rich or broke
We’ll cut prices at a stroke
God bless Hooky Street
Viva Hooky Street
Long live Hooky Street
C’est magnifique Hooky Street
Magnifique Hooky Street
The club hasn’t said anything yet it’s everyone else saying it ?
And he still hasn’t been sacked.
It was bad at times under Cearns and Brown but been an absolute joke since GSB took us on.
Where are the protests against the board? Since that Burnley game, it’s as if we have all just shrugged our shoulders and said ‘it is what it is’.
More rumour and gossip?
Send in the clowns… oh wait they are already here its called the board.
It’s simply embarrassing. No other club runs its affairs in such a shambolic manner. They’ve clearly learned nothing from the similar situation regarding Moyes.
Dirty washing being laundered in public yet again.
Sullivan out for a better future and take the rabid Tory money-grabbing leech with you too.
Are you kidding?
Every Premier League Club is run like this.
It’s what gives the media circus it’s living, doesn’t matter if any of it is true or not.
No, joke clubs are run like this.
We are the biggest joke going and the problem is, the same joke has been running for years.
Question is, who will replace the next manager and when. Might as well start the rumours now as it’s only a matter of time when another manager can’t get a tune out of our pathetic squad of players.
COYI
Potter failed at Chelsea with huge resources and in potters last season at Brighton was booed after run of 0-0 draws and wasn’t as popular figure at Brighton as has been reported. I’d still sack loopy loo
J Lo deserves being fired
However no one deserves hearing via social media
I’m convinced the board are simply hoping he’ll resign with all the “leaks”. Otherwise, why leak they are “considering” sacking him. Why leak you’re in talks with another manager. Dithering Dave is still with us it seems.
What a shamble’s of a great club,getting to the point where you can’t believe anything anymore