Julen Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham already appears to be on shaky ground, with speculation mounting that the club has a replacement lined up.
Just months into his new role, the Spaniard’s position is under intense scrutiny, with results failing to live up to the hopes of fans and the club hierarchy.
Lopetegui, who took charge at the London Stadium after a year out of management following his departure from Wolves, was expected to usher in an exciting new era.
He replaced David Moyes with the promise of revitalising the Hammers with more attractive, progressive football. However, the early signs suggest that honeymoon period might soon end in a swift divorce.
The manager’s start has been anything but smooth. After eight Premier League games, West Ham have managed only two wins, leaving supporters underwhelmed.
Despite an ambitious £155m summer outlay on nine new players and the retention of key stars, the Hammers are struggling to establish any meaningful identity on the pitch.
Concerns Mount as Performances Falter:
The lack of cohesion in the team has become a significant talking point among fans and pundits alike.
Defeats such as the 5-1 drubbing at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup have raised alarm bells, but it was the recent 4-1 loss to bitter rivals Tottenham that may have inflicted the most damage.
Amid reports of dressing-room unrest and issues with discipline, some suggest that change is inevitable unless results improve quickly. However, others argue it’s too early to write off Lopetegui, given the transitional nature of his tenure.
Yet West Ham’s patience may be wearing thin. Reports claim club owner David Sullivan has already placed Borussia Dortmund’s Edin Terzić on standby, ready to step in if Lopetegui cannot turn things around soon.
With a resurgent Manchester United up next and no Mohammed Kudus until December due to injury, the pressure on Lopetegui is intensifying.
‘Uninspiring’ Lopetegui on Thin Ice, Says Michael Bridges:
Adding to the growing uncertainty is the view of former Premier League striker Michael Bridges, who believes Lopetegui is edging closer to the sack.
Now a pundit for Optus Sport and BBC’s Look North, Bridges admits he was surprised by the Spaniard’s appointment at West Ham in the first place.
“He (Julen Lopetegui) has offered them nothing, and I really feel for West Ham because I was very surprised he got the appointment, I have got to get that out there,” Bridges said on Optus Sport.
“It wasn’t a thing that inspired me. I haven’t seen him at previous clubs, and obviously there was the stuff that went on with the national team as well during the World Cup when he got binned.
“It didn’t inspire me for West Ham, and what I have been come through there, I didn’t like his style at Wolves. I really feel for West Ham, and I feel that (defeat to Tottenham) was another nail in the coffin for Lopetegui.
“Lopetegui, I think, he is on thin ice.”
Time Running Out for Lopetegui:
West Ham’s board set clear targets for Lopetegui, with European qualification seen as a priority for the season.
The club backed both Lopetegui and new technical director Tim Steidten by providing substantial funds during the summer transfer window to build a competitive squad.
Yet, despite those efforts, Lopetegui has struggled to unlock the potential of his side, and questions over his tactics and team selections continue to swirl.
The coming fixtures could be pivotal in determining the Spaniard’s future. With the international break looming in November, it is believed that Lopetegui must secure a handful of points from the next three games to avoid the axe. Anything less, and Sullivan may be forced to pull the trigger sooner than anticipated.
While some fans are urging patience, there is a growing sense that the club’s ambitions and Lopetegui’s methods are misaligned. If results don’t improve rapidly, Bridges’ prediction could soon become reality, with the Spaniard’s brief spell in east London coming to an abrupt end.
For now, the focus remains on the pitch, but the clock is ticking for Lopetegui to deliver. Without a significant upturn in form, West Ham may be left with no choice but to turn to their contingency plan – and another managerial chapter could begin before this one has even truly started.