I was somewhat shocked yesterday to find out that there had been speculation over Julen Lopetegui’s position at West Ham over the last two days.
I must admit I was taken aback when I was asked in a Zoom call yesterday what I thought of the rumours that the Hammers’ coach could face the sack. I immediately dismissed it as a scurrilous speculation, but curiosity got the better of me, and I performed a very quick internet search, not expecting anything of note to turn up.
To my surprise, it was true. There are numerous examples of people suggesting the Spaniard’s job was under threat, followed by a piece from Football Insider claiming, “there would be no knee-jerk reaction, but the pressure was on for the 24/25 campaign.”
Quite frankly, the fact that this is even a conversation is absolutely preposterous. Lopetegui’s West Ham career is still in its infancy, and while I haven’t quoted the club directly for comment, I’m certain what their response would be.
While the former Real Madrid manager may not have had a flying start to his Hammers career, he has managed excellent results away from home and progressed to the next round in the Carabao Cup.
Sure, there have been some teething problems and possibly a few selections which had a few of us West Ham fans scratching our heads, but anybody who thinks the current board would put a new manager on the ‘watch list’ so soon after his appointment hasn’t been paying attention over the years.
Sullivan will back Lopetegui & Steidten
Time and patience for Lopetegui
Say what you want about the current ownership, but they do give their managers money and time to succeed and certainly take a long time before deciding to make any changes at the top.
Lopetegui is still building, still trying to find his best team, and attempting to integrate new signings while discovering which former players are going to fit into his new methods. It’s abundantly clear that West Ham are playing a higher defensive line and attempting to press the opposition far more than ever happened under David Moyes.
So, whilst at times the performances may not be thrilling and entertaining, there is definitely change happening. Granted, we were all a bit puzzled with the selection of Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek in the starting lineup against Fulham, but these are certainly not sacking offenses or anything that would cause anyone at the boardroom level to start a process of assessment over the manager.
I suspect it will be something of a rocky road until Lopetegui fully implements his new ideas, but make no mistake about it—if people are reporting that his job is under threat, it’s certainly not coming from anyone within the club.
Way too soon for this talk .
Results thus far
Lose to villa at home . First game in charge narrowly beaten by a superior team . Winning goal by a player we should have signed. A decision I take it not down to the head coach
Win away at palace . Got thumped last season in same fixture.
Beat Bournemouth at home . Last time out only managed a draw.
Lose to city at home . Nothing expected , we did however give it go .
Draw away at Fulham . Same fixture last season got destroyed .
Currently he is an improvement on Moyes last season.
I’m not sure it’s that “preposterous’. Whilst I think there’ll be some patience on results, it’s signs of a more entertaining, attacking style we want to be seeing at this stage – and that’s just not happening. Most were underwhelmed by the appointment in the first place but it was the promise of better football were sold.
Add on the discontent around ticket pricing it’s almost a perfect storm brewing and the board could easily panic and move swiftly.
Overall a good sensible article Gonzo. For some perspective both Pellegrini and Avram Grant had zero points after 4 PL games
In the Premier League unfortunately almost every manager is under pressure
There is a contingent of so-called fans and large parts of the football media still fuming over David Moyes’s exit. Sadly, they will jump on every single opportunity to cause mayhem. If they can get El Lopo sacked and say, “Told you so!” They will be delighted. Personally I just want West Ham to be able to pass the frickin’ ball fluently! I don’t care who manages.
I understand any new manager picking “old favourites” and giving them every chance to fit into his new methods. It makes for a unified and happy squad when the manager is considered fair, even by those that will inevitably get dropped.
It’s much better in the long run for a manager to be patient rather than play all those new signings before they have time to adapt, comfortably fit in and understand the frenetic nature of the PL.
Based on your research, are people saying “sack him”, which I agree is ridiculous, or are they simply saying “the pressure is building”, which must be a true statement. Four points from 4 games is certainly not in line with last year or current expectations given the transfer hype and associated expenditure, but a couple of good results, even good performances, should change things.
Many websites ( like this ) with space to fill and very little to fill them with, sadly a sign of the times .
More absolute nonsense from these so called ‘In The Knows’ who really are attention seeking narcissists. I agree with your sentiments entirely Gonzo.