West Ham appear either clueless or conflicted as a top journalist reveals what majority owner David Sullivan is now planning.
When David Sullivan and the West Ham board were signing off on £155m of transfers in the summer, they undoubtedly did not envisage this situation.
The immediate future looked bright for the Hammers a few months ago.
Many were tipping West Ham to get back into Europe after “winning the transfer window”.
The trouble is they have won little else since that nonsensical achievement.
Amid all the excitement of nine new arrivals and 12 players being shipped out, it went under the radar that West Ham somehow made what was the second oldest squad in the Premier League into the oldest.
An average age of 28.4 makes West Ham the geriatrics of the top flight.
And they’ve been playing like it under Julen Lopetegui thus far too.
No legs, power or guile in midfield, a three-man striker pool with a combined age closing on 98 and having to revert back to a goalkeeper who turns 40 soon.
With technical director Tim Steidten in full control of transfers and a new head coach in place, things were meant to be different.
Steidten promised to focus his rebuild around exciting young players.
Lopetegui also pledged to give young players their chance at West Ham.
There is little evidence of either so far.
As a result Lopetegui’s job is on the line when the Hammers face Everton.
That’s according to widespread reports from a host of outlets and journalists this week.
Now a Telegraph journalist’s bewildering new revelation about Sullivan’s West Ham plan will cause confusion.
Bewildering new revelation about Sullivan’s West Ham plan
West Ham’s stated aim after appointing Lopetegui on a two-year deal was qualifying for Europe.
The fact the head coach’s contract has a clause automatically triggering a third year if they manage to achieve that being proof.
West Ham are currently 14th in the table and miles off that target.
The club’s owners gave Lopetegui their public backing after the 3-0 defeat at Forest.
But in the days leading up to the crunch game with Everton, the narrative has changed completely.
Certain journalists have been briefed that defeat to Sean Dyche’s side could result in Lopetegui being sacked.
Six managers and counting have been linked as potential replacements.
Some have even already been sounded out according to various reports.
The reported change of stance from the board reportedly came after realising just how close West Ham are to the relegation zone 10 games in.
With a two-week international break after the Everton game, speculation has been rife the axe will fall if West Ham don’t win convincingly.
Even Guardian reporter Jacob Steinberg, who started the week claiming the Toffees clash was not make-or-break, has since stated Lopetegui could be sacked by Sunday.
Jason Burt tells a different story, though.
The Telegraph journalist has delivered a major West Ham update ahead of Everton.
And West Ham are coming across as either being clueless or conflicted about what to do next.
Because Burt now claims the plan has completely changed again.
Hammers fans may be shocked by update on Lopetegui’s future
He states that even if the Hammers lose to Everton, Lopetegui will remain in charge for the trip to Newcastle.
“Lopetegui is under pressure after a disappointing start to the season but Telegraph Sport understands he will remain in charge whatever the result of Saturday’s Premier League home game against Everton,” Burt’s Telegraph report states.
“Even if West Ham lose, Lopetegui is expected to be in the dugout for West Ham’s first fixture after the international break against Newcastle United.
“West Ham nevertheless remain concerned over the start to the campaign with the club just six points above the relegation places after a series of poor performances…
“But while the hierarchy have a strong track record of keeping faith in managers, and reviewing the situation at the end of each season, Lopetegui needs some positive results and performances to strengthen his position.”
Burt also repeated a Hammers News exclusive from earlier this week that West Ham fear Arsenal want Steidten.
It’s since been claimed Steidten could follow Lopetegui out the door with the board especially unhappy about two signings.
But Burt claims West Ham ‘would still want Steidten to stay’ amid possible interest from the Gunners following the departure of Edu.
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