David Sullivan may be forced to change his stance over Julen Lopetegui after a major development involving two managers.
West Ham’s owners are once again standing by Julen Lopetegui despite growing calls from fans for the Spaniard to be fired.
The Hammers were battered 5-0 by Liverpool in their latest embarrassing defeat of an underwhelming season.
It followed a run of four games in which West Ham went unbeaten.
But that owed more to the profligate finishing of West Ham’s opponents and a number of fortunate VAR calls than anything else.
Pressure has been mounting on Lopetegui since before the November international break.
Shambolic defeats to Arsenal and Leicester saw West Ham’s away support turn on the Spaniard.
But the Hammers hierarchy gave Lopetegui one last chance to save his job.
The unbeaten run and the fact Liverpool are so good seems to have bought Lopetegui further grace.
West Ham’s owners made it clear Lopetegui is under huge pressure to improve performances and results.
But they are hopeful for a better 2025.
Supporters do not share the same optimism.
While Lopetegui stands on the brink ahead of a tough run of fixtures, Daniel Levy is applying pressure on David Sullivan with reports Spurs could sack Ange Postecoglou and try to appoint Graham Potter.
Hammers under pressure to sack Lopetegui
Ex Chelsea boss Potter has been on standby to take over West Ham on a short-term deal.
But Tottenham could threaten to leave the Hammers without an alternative.
Other managers linked with West Ham of late include the likes of Edin Terzic, Roger Schmidt and Sergio Conceicao.
Now there has been a major double manager twist could force Sullivan into change of heart over his West Ham sack decision.
Earlier this season The Sun’s Matt Hughes claimed Tim Steidten preferred Ruben Amorim, Paulo Fonseca, Conceicao or Fabian Hurzeler to Lopetegui.
Many West Ham supporters were convinced Fonseca was the next best bet after Amorim.
Especially given his love for bringing through academy talent.
But the Portuguese rather ironically benefitted from Milan’s decision to withdraw a contract offer to Lopetegui as he became the Italian giants’ new boss instead.
Lopetegui has somehow outlasted Fonseca, though.
And further news out of Milan overnight gives Sullivan a monumental decision to make.
The Italian giants have officially announced they have fired Fonseca, who was once interviewed by Sullivan before he appointed Slaven Bilic.
Double manager twist could force Sullivan into change of heart
“AC Milan announces that Paulo Fonseca has been relieved from his duties as Head Coach of the Men’s First Team,” the Italian club’s statement reads.
“The Club extends its gratitude to Paulo for his great professionalism and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours.”
While Fonseca is now available should West Ham decide to pull the trigger on Lopetegui, the clock is ticking on another top Hammers candidate for the very same reason.
Because Milan are in talks to make former Porto boss Conceicao his replacement according to the likes of Football Italia.
Earlier this month it was claimed by several top sources that Conceicao was very much open to joining West Ham.
As the Hammers have dithered over what to do about Lopetegui, though, the door has been left open for other clubs to pounce.
Now that’s exactly what Milan are threatening to do.
Whether the big developments over in Italy will force Sullivan into a change of heart remains to be seen.
But if he does change his stance then he needs to act fast because reports claim Conceicao taking over at Milan is moving at a rapid pace.
If the Hammers do miss out, Fonseca would still be available of course.
Whether West Ham fans would be as enthusiastic about that appointment as many were in the summer is debatable, though, after his inauspicious spell at Milan.
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