Frenzy at West Ham as leak confirms ‘new Mourinho’ wants the job and timing is no coincidence

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There was a frenzy of activity at West Ham overnight as the pressure on Julen Lopetegui ramps up ahead of the clash with Leicester.

After another shambolic collapse in the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal, Julen Lopetegui is back on the ropes at West Ham.

The club’s owners exclusively told Hammers News Lopetegui again has two “massive” games to save his job.

The Spaniard could not have hand-picked better opponents in that case.

West Ham face Leicester and Wolves in the next six days.

Both are below the Hammers in the Premier League table and are two of only three clubs to have conceded more goals than Lopetegui’s side this season.

That brings a different kind of pressure, though.

Because owners and fans are expecting two wins from those games.

Anything less will raise the very real possibility of West Ham sacking the manager.

Defeats would almost certainly be the end for the 58-year-old in east London.

Lopetegui survived the international break when 12 different managers were linked with West Ham.

Frenzy at West Ham as leak confirms ‘new Mourinho’ wants job

Amid all the speculation, Hammers News revealed one name under consideration was Sergio Conceicao.

In an exclusive, journalist Graeme Bailey told us that West Ham were ready to approach 50-year-old Conceicao if Lopetegui could not turn things around.

Now there’s frenzy at West Ham as leak confirms ‘new Mourinho’ wants the job and the timing is no coincidence.

Journalist Jacob Steinberg is known to have strong sources inside the Hammers boardroom.

Last night – 24 hours before the Hammers kick-off at Leicester – The Guardian reporter made a shock revelation.

With Lopetegui under mounting new pressure, Steinberg claimed West Ham have advanced their interest in the cigar-smoking Portuguese boss.

Crucially Conceicao is a free agent having left Porto in the summer.

So there would be no compensation for David Sullivan and co to pay to bring him to West Ham.

Yesterday it was revealed Sullivan has activated his West Ham plan B.

It seems that plan B is Conceicao, who won 11 trophies in seven years as Porto boss.

Timing of Conceicao to West Ham news is no coincidence

Steinberg says the manner of the Arsenal defeat has prompted the Hammers reach out to Conceicao.

“There is serious interest in Conceicao, who left Porto last summer,” Steinberg reports.

“The 50-year-old Portuguese, who led Porto to three league titles and twice took them to the Champions League quarter-finals, is thought to be attracted to the job…

“West Ham do not have a history of swift sackings and remain reluctant to fire Lopetegui but there is growing alarm over the team’s form.”

The top contact inside the club told Hammers News the owners were ‘baffled’ by the contrast in performances between the Newcastle and Arsenal games.

The timing of Steinberg leaking news of the Conceicao approach, says everything.

Lopetegui is under pressure and defeat at Leicester could be the final straw.

So for this news to emerge on the eve of the game very much looks like a case of no smoke without fire.

After Hammers News revealed interest in Conceicao a month ago, Alex Crook also claimed West Ham were one of four Premier League clubs tracking him.

It is the Hammers who have put themselves to the front of the queue according to Steinberg’s update, though.

The news has gone down well among Hammers fans, many of whom are excited at the idea.

What Conceicao would bring to West Ham

The Hammers would get high pressing, compact defensive shapes and quick transitions in abundance with Conceicao as manager.

One look at his style, record and his love of bringing through academy players, would suggest he could be the perfect fit for the Hammers.

He’s comfortable switching formations with a solid 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 his preferred setups depending on the match requirements and opposition.

Statistics aside, the good old fashioned eyes test will tell you what you need to know about Conceicao. Watching his Porto side was exciting with the way they attacked at pace and defended with fight and passion.

Conceicao has consistently led Porto to competitive runs in the Champions League and Europa League, with standout performances.

His Porto side has gained a reputation for being tough to break down in Europe, showing that he can manage at the highest level.

But it is his strong leadership and ability to motivate his players which makes him perfect for West Ham.

Conceicao is early Mourinho-esque in the way he creates a close-knit, competitive squad and siege mentality. He has played down comparisons to Mourinho in the past out of humility. But the similarities are there for all to see.

What West Ham fans will be most excited about is that he loves nothing more than helping develop and bring through young talents into the first team.