Julen Lopetegui’s tenure as West Ham manager could end within the next 10 days, with a “serious prospect” that the club decides to part ways with him imminently, according to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg.
Reporting on 20 November, Steinberg revealed that the Hammers have spent the international break assessing potential replacements for the Spaniard, who took over from David Moyes in the summer.
Lopetegui’s future reportedly hinges on West Ham’s upcoming fixtures against Newcastle United on Monday (25 November) and Arsenal the following Saturday (30 November). However, a poor result against Newcastle could force the club to act sooner.
Lopetegui under mounting pressure
When Moyes departed after a mixed spell at the London Stadium, many supporters felt it was the right time for change, even if they recognised his contributions, including guiding the club to a Europa Conference League title.
The appointment of Lopetegui, the former Wolves boss with a CV boasting stints at Real Madrid, Spain, and Sevilla, was met with some scepticism.
For many fans, the decision to hire the Spaniard was not viewed as an upgrade on Moyes, nor did it signal a significant departure from the pragmatic football that had divided opinion under the Scot.
West Ham’s extensive and costly summer recruitment created optimism for a strong campaign, but the team has struggled to find consistency. Sitting 14th in the Premier League table, the Hammers have failed to deliver on the expectations set by their summer investment.
Time running out for Lopetegui
The club now faces a critical decision. With fan discontent growing and performances failing to improve, Lopetegui’s position looks increasingly untenable.
Unless the Spaniard can deliver significant results in the next two matches, it seems only a matter of time before West Ham makes a change.