Julen Lopetegui has struggled to make any kind of positive impact at West Ham United since taking over in the summer.
In spite of a return of four points from West Ham‘s last two games, Julen Lopetegui is still said to be a man under real pressure.
The remaining three games this month will end up defining our season, and of course, Lopetegui’s future at the London Stadium.
The Hammers face clashes with Brighton, Southampton and Liverpool before the end of the year, and a return of six points from those matches would be more than acceptable.
Whilst the football on display from West Ham has been incredibly bland this season, there have been small signs that things are starting to click.
The performance away at Bournemouth on Monday night was much improved, and a win against Brighton on Saturday would significantly flip the narrative.
Lopetegui was struck with some really sad news yesterday when it was confirmed that his beloved 94-year-old father had passed away.
The Spaniard needs our support more than ever now. However, reports coming out of Italy suggest that the 58-year-old’s days in East London could be numbered.
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui ‘to be sacked immediately’
The Spaniard is clearly not out of the woods yet.
It was actually claimed before the Bournemouth game that Lopetegui would be given some leeway due to the Cherries’ quality.
So a draw was obviously seen as a good result by the Hammers owners.
But what if we lose to Brighton, and even worse, drop points away against the quite frankly awful Southampton?
Well, Italian website Calcio Now are claiming that Lopetegui could be sacked immediately, with two legendary managers leading the race to replace him.
Those two names are Max Allegri and Maurizio Sarri.
West Ham are said to have held talks already with Allegri, whilst the ‘prestige of the Hammers job’ is reportedly attracting Sarri.
Either of the two Italian coaches would take us to a whole new level as far as I’m concerned.
And anything less than a return of four points from our next three games will surely see the Hammers job vacated.
Max Allegri and Maurizio Sarri in the frame to replace Lopetegui
The two Italians are absolute legends of the game, but both have very contrasting styles.
Whilst Allegri favours defensive solidarity and substance over style, Sarri is well-renowned for deploying some of the most beautiful football the game has ever seen.
The 57-year-old former Juventus and AC Milan boss rules with an iron first, and he always has his players operating with a high level of intensity.
Energy, aggression and a solid structure are all key facets of Allegri’s managerial style.
Meanwhile, Sarri always insists on his players building out from the back with short passes and well-drilled patterns of play.
The 65-year-old favours a possession-based system, whereby his side’s ball retention eventually wares down the opposition.
Both Allegri and Sarri have enjoyed real success in the game, although the former has far more trophies to his name – 15 to the ex-Chelsea manager’s three.
Either would be great appointments for West Ham, but it still remains to be seen whether Julen Lopetegui is able to hold onto his job beyond the end of 2024.
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