Julen Lopetegui’s press conferences often leave a lot of head scratching journalists trailing in their wake trying to decipher what was said, what was implied and what was sneaked under the radar. We had the comment yesterday of ‘one or two player issues’ indicating – as an afterthought to a Fullkrug fitness update – that other players may be last – minute decisions and doubtful as it stands.
In addition, Lopetegui has got me scratching my head over his very British ‘keep calm and carry on’ demeanour. For whilst the definitive statement from inside the club stated that Everton is a ‘must win’ game, the Hammers head coach ignored all of the headlines over his future and stated calmly: “I am sure that we have a lot of time to change and to turn this bad moment into a good moment.”
I don’t believe he’s naive enough to ignore the rumours of about a dozen coaches now being ‘lined up’ or ‘shortlisted’ to take over.
So is this Lopetegui in denial? Or simply doing his best to appear calm on the surface and showing how he accepts this pressure as part of his job: “We always work under pressure and we have to accept that it is normal in our job.” Stating the obvious.
He looks drawn and tired – I do feel for him. Part of me is convinced, though, that this ‘must – win’ game is nothing of the sort and on past actions, Sullivan and Steidten will not be considering reversing the decision to hire him and pay him off yet awhile.
The loss of face for the sacking of a head coach after 10 games – or 11 on Saturday – would be just as painful as the six million quid in severance pay. Lopetegui has the look of a man who doesn’t expect to be making a quick getaway on Saturday, whatever the outcome.
How about you get behind him. He is not a wizard he needs this season to work his ideas on the players. It’s so disrespectful to name every unemployed manager could do a better job. We are Westham not Real Madrid. Be happy we finish 12th and really push on up the table next season.
Write about something else or get a job.
Sullivan only cares about money . And the way he’s running the club is literally costing the club tens of millions. I’m becoming increasingly convinced he’s trying to goad kretinsky into buying him out . At an inflated price as usual . Ego 1st and the good of west ham United football club and it’s supporters a very distant second .
Seriously, how many times have we heard must win games since Sullivan has taken over, or the next 3 games..
It all started with Avram grant, he had 15 must win games and he took us down.
Moyes must have had 200 must win games.
It’s boring…..
Until Sully changes nothing changes!
Prices in the stadium go ⬆️
West Ham under JLo go ⬇️
I expect him to be given all of the games up to Christmas, regardless of results, with a decision being made before the Liverpool game, in time for the January window.
He needs to settle on a first 11, based on people playing in their correct positions, and tweak, rather than wholesale change for every match. If he can do that, and we can achieve some consistency, I believe it’ll save him his job.
Unfortunately Buddy I think you are right that he will get until Xmas 🤦♂️
I just don’t want to wait in the hope Santa will give 🇪🇸🤡 the sack when we already know our season is effectively over before bonfire night.
Believe it or not, I’ve been tempering my frustration to avoid my posts getting deleted
🤣🤣🤣
try getting rid of that Spanish flag you keep placing in front of the clown. that might also help 😒 bad form, mate
I’ve only just seen this, so too late on my latest comment 🤦♂️ I’ve got 🇪🇸 friends so it’s not meant as a slant against Spain.
I will simply use 🤡 from now on! I’ve got nothing against any nation. I’m hoping Brexit gets reversed but feel that is as likely as our 🤡 manager taking us higher than 15th.
I respect your point – but won’t respect a point at home to Everton 👎
Just can’t see him getting sacked after this. Would have to be quite the defeat / inept performance. Which obviously we can’t rule out at the moment. But can’t see him being sacked after this game.
The next two are Newcastle away and then Arsenal. We’re getting nothing out of those two, so I reckon he’ll hold off pulling the trigger till after the Arsenal game.
Ideally we pull off a win tomorrow to keep us away from the bottom three given that we’re getting absolutely nothing from the two that follow.
After the Arsenal game I still have no confidence and that includes Leicester (a), Wolves (h), Bournemouth (a) then Brighton (h)
If we beat Everton and that is still a big IF, with JLo in charge we might pick up another 3 points in total for the 4 games above 🤦♂️
That is relegation material so why wait? 🤔
Remember only too well the laid back Avram Grant, couldn’t believe the nonchalance of the man, or arrogance maybe, both I reckon with a complete distain for everything West Ham connected, an imposter in a nutshell who oversaw, when not having his dirty massages the demise of the Irons.
Avram was a shower of 💩 but 🇪🇸🤡 has a much better squad but is equally as 💩 probably worse due to the players available
Honestly does anyone on here believe Sullivan would tell a journo this was Loppy’s last game? If you do your all insane, and looking at form going all the way back to Grant, then Moyes and Allardyce, they honor the contract signed even if it means relegation or a slide down the table. That’s the way they operate.
Does anyone else really also think a journo making things up and flying a kite acting as if its gods word, make the atmosphere better for the team, all this bile does it create a whole load of negativity driven by ******** from the rags. Wake the **** up people !!
I totally agree that Sully would never tell the media 🇪🇸🤡 has one game to save his skin. Like you say that’s insane.
Doing the same thing and getting the same results honouring contracts is equally insane!
Owners & Managers are responsible for the confidence in a football team. If it works fans are happy, when it stinks we have the right to voice our disdain for those responsible!
I form my opinions of what I see on the pitch. I don’t need journo’s / tv pundits to sway my outlook on what is obviously a 💩 show!
🇪🇸🤡 is shocking in his pre game media interviews and doesn’t inspire confidence. How the hell he impressed Sully at interview is just beyond comprehension.
On the pitch is even worse! 🇪🇸🤡 has eroded all optimism and hope of a decent season!
I think you could’ve perhaps made your point with less anger and condescension my friend, but in essence I agree. Maybe tone it down a bit and people will focus more on your point.
It’s not anger it’s pure frustration Buddy!
Football is a passionate game and emotions are high right now. I’m not swearing but need to emphasise my point by expressing my complete lack of faith.
Being polite won’t change anything but I respect your comments. I can only be myself when I say how I feel.
I’m a proud East Ender and I say it how it is!
I cannot see Lopetegui lasting more than the short term, he may linger on a few or even several games but I don’t see him being around in the medium term. Given that’s how I see things I think it’s best that he goes in the very short term. The quicker that is the faster things move on the more time his replacement has.
Swallow the £6M severance, if a replacement manager has us finish just two places higher that pays for it.
I’m always agreeing with you & AlanDevonshireCream
You can’t polish a 💩 so 🇪🇸🤡 has to go!
The Prem is wide open this year at the top and all the way down!
It’s still possible to rescue a shocking start with the right manager in charge!
Decisive action is required, waiting until Xmas is just like being on Death Row!
With due respect John we are dealing with David Sullivan.A person who doesn’t see common sense.
As I have said before he doesn’t like sacking managers not because he is loyal but likes to see their contract out so he doesn’t have to put his hand in his pocket.
I hope I’m wrong as I want to see Lopetegui gone ASAP.
Dead ☠️ man walking 🇪🇸🤡
Time to stop this 🎪 circus and move on swiftly regardless of the result on Saturday!
The GSB out days are just around the corner if we stick with 🇪🇸🤡
Surely Sully can see history repeating itself?! 🤔