Julen Lopetegui is not facing pressure to leave his post at West Ham United despite the club’s poor start to the season, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The speculation followed the Hammers’ 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, but reports suggest the club’s hierarchy remains committed to working with the Spanish manager.
Writing in his Daily Briefing column on 22 September, Romano indicated that the mood within West Ham is one of patience.
“It’s been a difficult start to the season for West Ham under new manager Julen Lopetegui, with the club losing their first three home games, so is the new manager already under some pressure?” Romano questioned.
However, he quickly added that this is not yet the case: “My understanding is that there is no pressure now, they just keep working all together to change the situation and that’s the indication coming from the club.”
Lopetegui has been under increasing scrutiny from pundits and supporters alike, with some calling for a managerial change following the Chelsea defeat.
Yet, Romano stressed that a new project like West Ham’s requires time to gel, given the number of new players and staff involved.
“My view is that it takes time for a new manager sometimes,” he wrote, noting the upheaval at the club this summer. He also pointed out that the Hammers’ opening fixtures have been particularly challenging, with the side facing Chelsea, Manchester City, and Aston Villa in their first few games.
“That’s really not an easy schedule by any stretch of the imagination,” he added.
The question of whether West Ham will sack Lopetegui, who joined the club earlier this summer, has naturally been raised by disgruntled fans.
A miserable start to the season, capped by the defeat to Chelsea on 22 September, has seen frustration mount. The Irons looked disjointed and off the pace against a Chelsea side that has itself struggled to find form this season.
The performance has left many supporters concerned that a change in management may be necessary to reverse the club’s fortunes.
However, sacking Lopetegui after just a handful of games would be premature. The former Real Madrid boss, with a proven track record in European football, deserves more time to implement his ideas and find a winning formula.
As Romano suggested, the fixtures have not been kind to West Ham, and there is an argument that results will improve as the team settles into the season.
Nevertheless, Lopetegui’s future will likely depend on how quickly he can turn things around. While the board appears willing to give him time, it remains to be seen how patient the decision-makers at the London Stadium will be if results don’t start to improve soon.