West Ham ‘make Julen Lopetegui sack decision’ after board meeting | Football | Sport
Julen Lopetegui will remain in charge at West Ham United until at least their next Premier League game against his former club Wolves, according to reports.
The 58-year-old is skating on thin ice after overseeing a dismal start to his reign at the London Stadium. The Hammers slipped to their latest defeat on Tuesday night as they were beaten by Leicester City, scoring just once despite having 31 shots on goal.
Lopetegui will be given at least one more game to save his job after a crunch board meeting on Thursday morning, according to the Daily Mail.
It is said that he will remain in the dugout until Monday’s fixture against Wolves, who were thrashed by Everton on Wednesday.
The report adds that senior figures at West Ham have lost faith in Lopetegui after only a few months in charge, believing that his appointment was a mistake.
They are said to have already identified four candidates to replace the Spaniard if he is relieved of his duties. Edin Terzic, Sergio Conceicao and Kasper Hjulmand are thought to be in the running, while Graham Potter is also under consideration.
Potter was on punditry duties for Amazon Prime at West Ham’s game against Leicester and hinted that he would be open to succeeding Lopetegui if the Hammers came calling.
Quizzed on what his next job might be, he replied: “As I’ve said before, you are open to everything. At the same time, I am really enjoying this as well because it gives you another perspective.”
It is said that previous experience in the Premier League could be a factor in West Ham deciding their priority target if Lopetegui leaves, suggesting Potter would have an advantage over the other candidates.
Terzic could also be among the frontrunners, having served as an assistant coach during Slaven Bilic’s time in charge of the club.
It remains to be seen if Lopetegui will be able to turn things around, starting with a much-needed victory over Wolves. Another defeat could spell the end for him after just seven months in charge, with patience running thin in the boardroom.
