Julen Lopetegui takes his West Ham United team to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United tonight.
West Ham have experienced a woeful start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, and Julen Lopetegui has failed badly in his role as Hammers head coach.
When the Spaniard arrived at the London Stadium in the summer, he made big promises of how he plans to usher us into a bold and exciting new era.
It hasn’t worked out that way though, and recent claims have suggested that two heavy defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal respectively will see Lopetegui sacked.
I personally think he should have been moved on a while back – it has been clear to see for over a month now that he isn’t the man we need to take us onto the next level.
There are plenty of superior managers out there available right now.
But will the Hammers board have the courage and conviction to sack Lopetegui well before Chrsitmas.
It certainly seems like they will…
New Julen Lopetegui claim on Newcastle vs West Ham game-day
We all know that Lopetegui is under real pressure right now, after his poor start to life at the London Stadium.
The Hammers fans are bored of what the Spaniard has served up so far, both on the pitch and during his ultra dull press conferences.
He was a terrible appointment, and one of the worst possible replacements the West Ham owners could have selected for David Moyes.
And it seems like the board may well have realised their mistake now.
According to a report from The Sun, the Hammers board have made somewhat of a U-turn in their stance on Lopetegui.
It is now being claimed that losing heavily to Newcastle and Arsenal will definitely result in Lopetegui being sacked.
But the big difference is that the Spaniard allegedly needs much more than that now to keep his job.
Lopetegui requires ‘decent results’ against both Newcastle and Arsenal in order to remain in his role as Hammers head coach.
Quite what that means is unclear, but I would suggest perhaps a couple of draws? Or maybe a win and a close defeat?
Julen Lopetegui faces uphill battle to keep West Ham job
What is clear is that the Hammers gaffer has nowhere to hide now. Games against a resurgent Newcastle at St James’ Park and a truly brilliant Arsenal side with Martin Odegaard back fully fit and firing on all cylinders will be the acid test for the Spaniard.
The Hammers have been truly atrocious this season, and there are no signs that we are going to improve anytime soon.
The fact that we don’t even have a discernible playing style more than three months into the season is hugely concerning.
I’m certain that Julen Lopetegui won’t be in charge of West Ham beyond the end of this month.
The only question then is who will come into to replace him? In an ideal world, it would be one of Thomas Frank, Andoni Iraola or Sebastian Hoeness for me.
However, the Hammers will more than likely end up with a free agent manager like Graham Potter or Edin Terzic.
Only time will tell, but it seems like Lopetegui really has his work cut out now, if he is to remain in charge at the London Stadium beyond the end of this week.
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