With all that has gone on at West Ham in the last couple of weeks it’s easy to forget the club had a mutiny on its hands over Julen Lopetegui.
Before a trio of tragedies hit West Ham, manager Julen Lopetegui was fighting to keep his job.
The Spaniard was given one last chance against his old club Wolves.
Michail Antonio’s car crash was followed by the death of Academy starlet Oscar Fairs and Lopetegui’s father.
That deflected attention away from the fact a number of top West Ham stars had made it clear to the owners they wanted out if Lopetegui stays.
While the jury remains out on the manager, nothing has changed on those players pushing for a Hammers exit.
Jean-Clair Todibo, Mohammed Kudus, Niclas Fullkrug, Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez have all made it clear to the hierarchy they want out.
There is talk Lucas Paqueta is also desperate to go back to Brazil, although that is unrelated to the manager.
Lopetegui responds to moaning star who wants to leave
One of those players has not been shy in making it clear he’s unhappy – even with everything that’s been going on of late.
Striker Fullkrug has just returned from three months out injured. He is yet to start a league game for the Irons.
And if he doesn’t get one in the next two weeks, it may never happen.
Because he clearly does want out and the Irons are planning to sell.
Now Lopetegui has responded to the moaning star who wants to leave West Ham after just six months.
Top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone recently quoted his leading source inside the club – believed to be David Sullivan – when claiming Fullkrug is unsettled at West Ham and already wants out in January.
After the defeat at Leicester which put Lopetegui on the brink, Fullkrug criticised stuck the boot in on Lopetegui by saying his tactics and approach weren’t working.
The Germany international also clearly hinted at issues in training and a lack of leadership and ‘hierarchy’.
West Ham have confirmed they are looking to sign a striker in January. With Danny Ings out of contract in the summer and Antonio’s potentially career-ending injury – they’ll need at least two in the coming windows.
Especially as brutally honest Fullkrug delivered an X-rated take on his ‘risky and catastrophic’ West Ham move this week.
Fullkrug labelled his move to east London something that rhymes with ‘itty’.
Boss diplomatic on Fullkrug but Hammers plan sale
He bemoaned a lack of European football and made it clear he doesn’t think West Ham will qualify this season either.
Fullkrug goes on to say he sacrificed a lot to join West Ham and describes the move as a big risk which has gone badly.
It was one of the first things Lopetegui was asked about in his latest press conference.
While the Hammers boss played the diplomat, West Ham have admitted he could be sold.
“I think Fulle had an injury, unfortunately for us and for him,” Lopetegui said in his presser.
“For three months he has been out of the team so after he has to start to recover the rhythm of the very demanding Premier League.
“Step by step he is better and I’m sure that he is going to become an important player for us. For sure he was a very good player, an experienced player and for sure the team is going to need him.
“Step by step he is better and it’s good news for us.”
In the background, though, West Ham are planning to sell if a willing buyer comes forward.
That’s according to Claret and Hughhttps://www.claretandhugh.info/exclusive-hammers-update-on-fullkrug-future/, who claim their leading source at the club refused to rule out Fullkrug leaving.
“Who knows?” the source told them.
“Maybe there’s a tiny chance.”
A recent report from Italy stated Fullkrug’s agents have held informal talks with Juventus about a move in the winter window.
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