Julen Lopetegui on the brink of West Ham sack with three possible replacements waiting
West Ham are considering sacking manager Julien Lopetegui, talkSPORT understands. The Hammers board are expected to hold crunch talks today to debate Lopetegui’s future after Tuesday’s disastrous 3-1 defeat at Leicester. The axe is looming perilously above Lopetegui after West Ham’s latest defeatGetty Sporting director Tim Steidten, who advised owner David Sullivan not to appoint Lopetegui, is understood to be pushing for a change. As previously reported by talkSPORT, Steidten has already held talks with former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic. Ex-Porto chief Sergio Conceicao and Graham Potter are other potential replacements for Lopetegui. Potter has turned down numerous opportunities since being sacked by Chelsea in April last year, but is now ready to return to work. Hammers fans have already made their thoughts clear on Lopetegui, with the travelling supporters on Tuesday passionately chanting ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ in the Spaniard’s direction. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy acknowledged the fans’ frustrations on talkSPORT and also noted how ‘confused’ West Ham’s players looked on the field. “I’ll tell you why I worry for him,” Murphy said. “I saw the home games against Chelsea and Arsenal. It wasn’t just that they got beat by better teams – it was how they got beat. “They were in disarray tactically, physically, attitude, basics… I think the players look a bit confused. “The big problem he’s got is that the fans have already turned. West Ham put in an uninspiring performance against Leicester on TuesdayGetty “The only way you climb that mountain is if you go on a really good run. They don’t look like they’re in a position to do that because I don’t see a pattern.” Murphy also questioned whether Lopetegui’s style of play mirrors what Hammers fans want to see on the pitch. “When you let a manager go like (David) Moyes, who’s quite pragmatic, very good defensively and plays in a certain way, you’d think they’d have been looking for the opposite end of the spectrum,” Murphy said. “You know, a (Fabian) Hurzeler or (Ange) Postecoglou type, who’s going to play a bit more of what the fans want. “And what you’ve done, is you’ve brought in someone who’s a bit of a halfway house. He’s not overly pragmatic and he’s not overly on the front foot.” Julen Lopetegui's West Ham career in numbers Games played: 16 Wins: 5 Draws: 3 Losses: 8 Goals for: 20 Goals conceded: 32 Lopetegui presented a defiant mentality when asked about his future after the Leicester defeat and declared West Ham’s fixture against Wolves, his former employers, next Monday is all that is on his mind. “I understand your question,” Lopetegui said. “We have a lot of matches. I am sure with this attitude we are going to be able to achieve many more points. We are very frustrated. “At the end of the season, maybe we will be talking another way. There are a lot of matches in front of us, a lot of points. I believe in these players, I believe in the team, and I believe the second half of the season is going to be much better. “The [players] want to win for them, for me, for the club. This is about football, about winning. I told the players that we deserved much more if you are able to create this number of chances. “For me, each match is very important and the next match is going to be the most important. We have to be focused and do a good performance to win the match.” Lopetegui is full of belief he will still be in charge for West Ham’s next fixtureGetty Lopetegui was named as Moyes’ successor in May on a two-year deal, with the option for a third. But it looks highly likely the former Spain and Real Madrid boss will not even see the new year as the Leicester defeat marked the eighth from his 16 games in charge. Lopetegui oversaw a torrid start as West Ham won just once in their opening six Premier League games, although their defeats came against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea who all finished in the top six last season. The Hammers have since gone on to record wins over Ipswich Town, Manchester United and Newcastle, but they have not been enough to distract supporters from a myriad of defensive frailties. Only Wolves and Leicester have conceded more than West Ham’s tally of 27 goals, a figure made all the more problematic by the fact Lopetegui brought in £54million worth of defensive reinforcements. talkSPORT BET Offer Bet £10 And Get £30 In Free Bets CLAIM HERE T&Cs: 18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app & bet £10+ on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly Check out all the best free bets and offers from talkSPORT and our partne
West Ham are considering sacking manager Julien Lopetegui, talkSPORT understands.
The Hammers board are expected to hold crunch talks today to debate Lopetegui’s future after Tuesday’s disastrous 3-1 defeat at Leicester.
Sporting director Tim Steidten, who advised owner David Sullivan not to appoint Lopetegui, is understood to be pushing for a change.
As previously reported by talkSPORT, Steidten has already held talks with former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.
Ex-Porto chief Sergio Conceicao and Graham Potter are other potential replacements for Lopetegui.
Potter has turned down numerous opportunities since being sacked by Chelsea in April last year, but is now ready to return to work.
Hammers fans have already made their thoughts clear on Lopetegui, with the travelling supporters on Tuesday passionately chanting ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ in the Spaniard’s direction.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy acknowledged the fans’ frustrations on talkSPORT and also noted how ‘confused’ West Ham’s players looked on the field.
“I’ll tell you why I worry for him,” Murphy said.
“I saw the home games against Chelsea and Arsenal. It wasn’t just that they got beat by better teams – it was how they got beat.
“They were in disarray tactically, physically, attitude, basics… I think the players look a bit confused.
“The big problem he’s got is that the fans have already turned.
“The only way you climb that mountain is if you go on a really good run. They don’t look like they’re in a position to do that because I don’t see a pattern.”
Murphy also questioned whether Lopetegui’s style of play mirrors what Hammers fans want to see on the pitch.
“When you let a manager go like (David) Moyes, who’s quite pragmatic, very good defensively and plays in a certain way, you’d think they’d have been looking for the opposite end of the spectrum,” Murphy said.
“You know, a (Fabian) Hurzeler or (Ange) Postecoglou type, who’s going to play a bit more of what the fans want.
“And what you’ve done, is you’ve brought in someone who’s a bit of a halfway house. He’s not overly pragmatic and he’s not overly on the front foot.”
Julen Lopetegui's West Ham career in numbers
Games played: 16
Wins: 5
Draws: 3
Losses: 8
Goals for: 20
Goals conceded: 32
Lopetegui presented a defiant mentality when asked about his future after the Leicester defeat and declared West Ham’s fixture against Wolves, his former employers, next Monday is all that is on his mind.
“I understand your question,” Lopetegui said.
“We have a lot of matches. I am sure with this attitude we are going to be able to achieve many more points. We are very frustrated.
“At the end of the season, maybe we will be talking another way. There are a lot of matches in front of us, a lot of points. I believe in these players, I believe in the team, and I believe the second half of the season is going to be much better.
“The [players] want to win for them, for me, for the club. This is about football, about winning. I told the players that we deserved much more if you are able to create this number of chances.
“For me, each match is very important and the next match is going to be the most important. We have to be focused and do a good performance to win the match.”
Lopetegui was named as Moyes’ successor in May on a two-year deal, with the option for a third.
But it looks highly likely the former Spain and Real Madrid boss will not even see the new year as the Leicester defeat marked the eighth from his 16 games in charge.
Lopetegui oversaw a torrid start as West Ham won just once in their opening six Premier League games, although their defeats came against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea who all finished in the top six last season.
The Hammers have since gone on to record wins over Ipswich Town, Manchester United and Newcastle, but they have not been enough to distract supporters from a myriad of defensive frailties.
Only Wolves and Leicester have conceded more than West Ham’s tally of 27 goals, a figure made all the more problematic by the fact Lopetegui brought in £54million worth of defensive reinforcements.
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