There is mutiny in the ranks at West Ham as two top stars reportedly tell the club it’s them or the manager ahead of the big sack decision.
Julen Lopetegui’s fate will reportedly be decided by the West Ham board at a summit meeting in the next 24 hours.
David Sullivan and co are agonising over whether to axe the failing Hammers boss.
After spending £155m in the summer, the expectation was to challenge for the European spots.
Instead West Ham are languishing in 14th place, dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Lopetegui’s side have the third worst defence in the Premier League.
That’s despite having seen £87m spent on signing three new defenders.
West Ham paid £40m to Wolves for Max Kilman, have committed £32m to sign Jean-Clair Todibo and spent £15m on Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Yet the team looks just as open as it did when being regularly hammered in the second half of last season under David Moyes.
West Ham have now shipped 27 goals this season following the 3-1 defeat at Leicester.
That loss has left Lopetegui clinging to the job by his fingernails.
There have been fresh reports of bust-ups behind the scenes.
Claims of unrest in the ranks have been rife all season long.
Lopetegui fell out with star player Mohammed Kudus at Brentford.
The Daily Mail then claimed Jarrod Bowen had to separate the manager and Todibo at half-time of the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.
A top club source claims fans have been lied to about chaos behind the scenes at West Ham.
Now there’s more turmoil as two top stars make a West Ham manager ultimatum ahead of the big sack decision.
Turmoil as 2 top stars make West Ham manager ultimatum
A top journalist source told Hammers News last month that Edson Alvarez wants out if Lopetegui remains as manager.
Alvarez has persistently talked up a potential Hammers exit, angering fans.
Hammers News was told by the journalist that 27-year-old Alvarez has already demanded to leave if Lopetegui isn’t sacked.
Relations are not good between the player and West Ham’s beleaguered boss.
Alvarez did not include Lopetegui in his apology after his red card at Forest.
Lopetegui and Alvarez also blanked one another as the Mexican walked right past his boss as he left the pitch at the City Ground.
Alvarez was also seen showing dissent towards the 58-year-old when substituted in a cup win over Bournemouth.
Now another top West Ham star has told technical director Tim Steidten he wants out too if Lopetegui remains in charge.
Steidten received great credit for snatching Todibo from under the noses of Juventus in the summer.
The capture was seen as the jewel in the crown of West Ham’s summer business.
The French defender has blown hot and cold, though, like most of the team.
While the players have to take responsibility for their poor performances, many observers feel Lopetegui’s high line simply doesn’t suit the players he has.
Both he and Steidten have to take their fair share of the blame on that score.
Alvarez and Todibo will demand to leave if Hammers stick by boss
Now according to Claret and Hugh, Todibo has told Steidten he will request a transfer if the club keep Lopetegui.
The report says sources have revealed Todibo is looking for a way out if Lopetegui continues in charge.
The 24-year-old centre-back is angry after Lopetegui ‘humiliated’ him by making him train with the under 21s, away from the first team.
“As a result, the player is said to have informed Tim Steidten of his desire to leave should Lopetegui remain at the helm,” the report claims.
That’s £66m worth of players signed by Steidten who are demanding to leave if Lopetegui stays.
As is always the case in football, it’s easier to change one man – the boss – than half a squad of players.
This is where player power usually wins the day.
Although as far as most Hammers fans are concerned right now, that would only be a good thing.
The club’s hardcore support turned on Lopetegui during the Leicester defeat.
It remains to be seen whether the board stick by the head coach.
If they do then two key players will be pushing to leave the club in January according to these claims.
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