According to those who earn big bucks from being right (i.e. the bookies), Julen Lopetegui is history. Most have stopped taking bets now. Irrespective of the morality of the betting industry which is for another day – the fact that betting is suspended would appear to confirm what we believe to be the case. Within a few days, West Ham will announce that their head coach has been dismissed.
Stories today confirm that Lopetegui has lost the dressing room after a second player bust – up. As if the results on the pitch weren’t enough to create a crisis. I do feel for the players stuck in the middle of this downward vortex as the endless succession of ‘disappointing performances’ rack up.
However, there is good news. From the front runners, the rumoured to be ‘interested’ and the wildly speculative candidates being thrown into the mix this week, two names are missing. And I’m glad.
Nowhere, in any single report, are West Ham linked with a crackpot return for David Moyes, nor are they now being linked with an appointment for the former England manager Gareth Southgate.
Both would be depressing, dour regressive appointments who would offer scant entertainment value. For a while, Southgate’s name popped up before the last international break but he’s since vanished from the mix. And I’m relieved.
After this emotional assault course for the club, the players, the fans, those of us who write about it – and anyone passionate about their football- the hope is that this would all have been worthwhile and necessary suffering if it brought us a head coach able to inspire, to develop the team, bring forth youth and to offer just a tiny hint of -whisper it quietly – entertainment.
So be relieved, Hammers fans, whilst the shortlisted names might not be your own personal favourite, it looks as though dull dreary depressing defensive Brit coaches are off the agenda. Phew.
If Southgate comes in I’m done with the club until Sullivan is gone. Might as well have stuck with Moyes if that was what was going to happen, not listen to any of the fans and what they’re after.
Interesting when he was appointed JL was to be the saviour…
When West Ham got rid of David Moyes, by far their best manager for many years, my mate, a West Ham fan, and I both said “Be careful what you wish for”. We were right as West Ham have gone backwards. What do the fans want, pretty football without the points, or points no matter how they play and European football which they had under Moyes?
Amorim’s a success at Man United from day one as is Van Nistleroy at Leicester both options that Sullivan would never have gone for and so we wait with trepidation to see what idiocy happens at Westham again . Wolves lost heavily to Everton but looked dangerous enough to beat the rabble that is Westham . If LOSEpetegui stays until the new year Westham will be in the relegation zone with a bunch of teams playing much better football and will prove to be very difficult for any new manager to prevent the drop .
I can’t see many teams defence being as charitable as ours was against Leicester. So even though I like van nistolroys attitude and demeanour, I can only see them struggling. Everton too, they had a great result yesterday but have a run of hard games coming up which could have a bad affect on them. Add to those wolves and last years promoted teams I really don’t see us being relegated.
I am not for one minute suggesting keeping this guy as he is a disaster. He has to go it is now more a case of who replaces him.
As a minimum any new coach must be able to have GOOD communication skills expressed in clear and understandable English which with the International squads that exist in the Premier is a fundamental requirement. Sadly J L is lacking.
Beware the sparkling record achieved in Europe …the Premier League is very very serious.
The problem is Sullivan….off on a solo run again to appoint HIS choice of manager.
He is not equipped to make that decision and that’s proven.
Great to know that Frank Lampard still has a chance. Seriously though, I wouldn’t pay much attention to the prices offered by the bookies. They squeal when someone puts £60 on yellow cards – especially if they win and especially Betway. So offering 1 to 3 won’t get any takers other than the occasional fool that thinks it’s buying money. Just risk £300 for a few days to get £100 profit. Easy. Oops – things go wrong – West Ham hang on for another couple of weeks – somewhere else a manager loses his job and the hard earned is gone. Bookies don’t bother with a price when nobody wants to give their money away. Hardly an indication of true life events or a portent of things to come.
Calm down.
They won’t sack him cos Sullivans a melt
I’d take a go at.mark Robbins sick to death of been linked with all these Carlos kick abouts proven manger that started with nothing but youth and that poisoned drawf won’t have to pay comp
Just heard Sullivan got cold feet and won’t sack him, the board needs to go how can you put up with this rubbish, we spend our money on the club and we get treated to crap like this. Sullivan man up and sack him and admit you were wrong. There is 3 good managers out there for us. Sullivan should not be involved in the next manager as he has not got a clue ( look at is choice now that says he knows nothing about managers.