Julen Lopetegui shares how West Ham sacked him – and the one player who backed him

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When Julen Lopetegui was sacked by West Ham it was suggested he may not go quietly and so it has proved.

He has waited six weeks but Julen Lopetegui has finally opened up on his West Ham sacking.

Although the timing is somewhat questionable after Graham Potter led the Hammers to a fantastic 1-0 win away at Arsenal.

The performance was much more like what West Ham fans expected and wanted when parting ways with David Moyes.

When West Ham played Arsenal at home under Lopetegui in November they were battered 5-2.

It was a big flashpoint in Lopetegui’s tenure.

The Spaniard had a massive bust-up with Jean-Clair Todibo at half-time of that game.

Lopetegui confirmed the altercation when it was leaked to the press in the aftermath.

It was one of several run-ins he had with West Ham stars after a previous high-profile falling out with Mohammed Kudus.

Lopetegui was sacked last month to become the shortest-serving permanent West Ham manager in the club’s 130-year history.

He lasted just 192 days as Hammers boss.

Lopetegui shares how West Ham sacked him

Many felt West Ham majority owner David Sullivan waited two months too long before pulling the trigger.

Lopetegui was finally sacked after a drawn-out saga following hammerings to Liverpool and Man City.

Potter has come in as his replacement and performances – on the whole – have shown marked improvement.

While fans had been calling for his head, West Ham were heavily criticised by the press and their own supporters over the way they handled Lopetegui’s departure.

It was leaked to the press that Lopetegui was being sacked and Potter was on his way in.

But it took 48 hours for West Ham to actually confirm the decision.

In that time Lopetegui was forced to take training and even demanded to take the pre-Aston Villa FA Cup press conference.

West Ham were concerned what Lopetegui might say knowing he was about to be sacked and postponed the presser.

Now Lopetegui has shared how West Ham sacked him – and the one player who backed him.

Ex Hammers boss names the one player who backed him

The board were criticised for showing Lopetegui a lack of dignity and respect in the way they dealt with his Hammers exit.

And when his sacking came it was done via a three-way phone call with Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.

Lopetegui, as you might expect, didn’t agree with the decision.

“There’s a phone call, Karren Brady and David Sullivan telling me the decision,” Lopetegui told The Guardian.

“And that’s it, no more.

“I respect everyone at West Ham, but that’s compatible with not agreeing with their decision.”

When he was sacked, captain Jarrod Bowen was the only West Ham player to post a farewell message to Lopetegui on social media.

Bowen’s farewell message to Lopetegui was surprisingly emotional.

“You gave me the biggest honour of being captain for you and this team,” Bowen said alongside a picture of him with Lopetegui and heart emojis.

“Thank you for everything boss and good luck with your future.”

So it stands to reason that Lopetegui has revealed Bowen was the one player who always had his back.

“We had a captain, Jarrod, who helped a lot,” Lopetegui added.

“And he will mark an era (for the club).

“He’s exemplary in his work, behaviour, responsibility, (he has) the talent to play at any level.”