West Ham United’s manager Julen Lopetegui is already under pressure after a disappointing start to his tenure at the London Stadium, with sources suggesting his job could be ‘under threat’ if results don’t improve swiftly.
Appointed in the summer following the departure of David Moyes, Lopetegui arrived with a solid reputation, having previously managed Spain, Real Madrid, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There was hope that, with an array of new signings, West Ham would become a competitive top-half team this season. However, early signs have been troubling.
West Ham have taken just four points from their opening Premier League matches, and performances have been far from convincing.
Fans are already expressing concerns about the style of football on display, and the club’s top brass are reportedly growing anxious.
According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Lopetegui’s position will be closely monitored over the next three fixtures—against Brentford, Ipswich Town, and Tottenham Hotspur. If results and performances do not improve, he could find himself in serious danger of losing his job.
Sources Reveal West Ham’s Concerns
West Ham had been ‘seriously considering’ an approach for Ruben Amorim, Sporting Lisbon’s highly-rated coach, before deciding on Lopetegui.
Amorim, who led Sporting to their second Portuguese title in four years, was seen as an ambitious target. However, the pursuit of the 38-year-old was deemed too costly, particularly with interest from Liverpool at the time, who eventually appointed Arne Slot.
Lopetegui, with his experience in the Premier League, was ultimately viewed as the safer option. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan reportedly leaned towards the Spaniard on the advice of agents and advisors. Yet, despite his impressive CV, there are already murmurs within the club that the decision may have been a mistake.
The next three matches will be pivotal for Lopetegui, with the West Ham hierarchy planning to make a judgement on his future based on those results.
The atmosphere at the club is said to be uneasy, and the pressure is mounting on the former Wolves boss. If West Ham fail to collect points or show significant improvement, his position could come under even more scrutiny.
A Question of Fit
While Lopetegui’s record at Wolves was commendable, there are doubts as to whether he is the right fit for West Ham. He took charge at Molineux during a crisis, with the club battling relegation during the 2022 World Cup break.
Under his stewardship, Wolves won four of their first seven games following his arrival, a run that pulled them out of immediate danger.
However, a subsequent dip in form meant they finished the season in the lower half of the table, and Lopetegui eventually parted ways with the club over disagreements regarding the transfer budget.
West Ham presents a different challenge altogether. Unlike Wolves, who were in turmoil when Lopetegui arrived, West Ham are seeking long-term development and progress.
While his firefighting skills may have been perfect for Wolves, the task at West Ham requires more than just a survival mentality. The Hammers need a manager capable of building a team that can consistently challenge for European places.
So far, Lopetegui has struggled to stamp his authority on the side, and there are growing concerns that his tactical approach may not suit the squad at his disposal.
For now, West Ham’s ownership appears willing to give Lopetegui time to turn things around, with Sullivan reportedly prepared to let the situation “work itself out.”
However, with expectations high after a busy transfer window and a change in management, Lopetegui will need to prove quickly that he is the man to take West Ham forward, or he could find himself the latest casualty in the club’s search for stability.
The coming weeks will be decisive, and should results continue to falter, West Ham may be forced to reconsider their decision before the season slips further out of control.