A former Premier League star reckons Julen Lopetegui is close to the sack as speculation swirls West Ham have a replacement on standby.
Any honeymoon period Julen Lopetegui had at West Ham might end in a quickie divorce.
The Spaniard has endured a tempestuous start to the new season with his new club.
After being out of work for a year following his Wolves walk-out, Lopetegui succeeded David Moyes in the Hammers hotseat.
The promise of an exciting, new-look West Ham team playing better football is yet to materialise.
Hammers fans have been hugely underwhelmed so far.
Supporters and journalists have noted a lack of any real identity in the team.
Just two wins from his opening eight Premier League games has piled pressure on Lopetegui.
West Ham put Lopetegui replacement on standby?
The manner of some of the defeats – including a 5-1 hiding at Liverpool in the cup – has been alarming.
None more so than West Ham’s 4-1 capitulation against bitter rivals Spurs last time out.
In the wake of that humbling, rows with players and indiscipline in the team both defensively and in the actions of some players, many feel change is needed.
Others believe it is far too soon to be writing Lopetegui off just yet.
David Sullivan has reportedly put Edin Terzic on standby to take over unless results and performances improve quickly.
With a rejuvenated Man United up next and now no Mohammed Kudus until what’s likely to be December 9th, that looks a tough ask.
‘Uninspiring’ Lopetegui close to West Ham sack reckons ex PL star
Many West Ham fans and observers feel the biggest problem is that there is nothing they can hang their hat on when it comes to Lopetegui’s tenure thus far.
There has been no marked improvements to results, workrate, pressing, style or individual performances.
That’s despite £155m being spent on nine new players.
As speculation reignites, ‘uninspiring’ Lopetegui is close to the West Ham sack reckons an ex Premier League star.
Ex Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland striker Michael Bridges is a pundit on the Premier League for Optus Sport in Australia. He also hosts the BBC’s Look North sports segment.
Bridges admits he was surprised Lopetegui got the West Ham job in the first place.
‘Lopetegui has offered nothing to West Ham’
And he believes the 57-year-old has ‘offered nothing’ since, stating he is close to being sacked.
Bridges also says he feels for West Ham fans as he doesn’t believe they even wanted Lopetegui.
“He (Julen Lopetegui) has offered them nothing, and I really feel for West Ham because I was very surprised he got the appointment, I have got to get that out there,” Bridges said on Optus Sport.
“It wasn’t a thing that inspired me. I haven’t seen him at previous clubs and obviously there was the stuff that went on with the national team as well during the World Cup when he got binned.
“It didn’t inspire me for West Ham and what I have been come through there, I didn’t like his style at Wolves. I really feel for West Ham, and I feel that (defeat to Tottenham) was another nail in the coffin for Lopetegui.
“Lopetegui, I think, he is on thin ice.”
West Ham have set Lopetegui a target of trying to get back into Europe.
The club has also backed him and Tim Steidten with the funds to help make that happen.
Crucially, the Hammers also kept all their star players.
But Lopetegui is failing to get the best out of them and has seen his tactic and team selections questioned.
If he is to avoid the sack Lopetegui will surely have to pick up a couple of wins or at least four or five points from the next three games before the November break.
Otherwise Bridges’ prediction could well become reality.
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