West Ham United’s tumultuous season has taken another significant turn with the sacking of manager Julen Lopetegui, as reported by talkSPORT. The Spaniard's departure marks the end of his brief tenure at the club, just months after taking over from David Moyes last summer.
When Lopetegui replaced Moyes, expectations were high. West Ham had recently enjoyed European football and turned themselves around as potential top-table contenders. This hopeful outlook quickly diminished, with the Hammers stumbling to 14th place in the Premier League table, seven points clear of the relegation zone, following yet another dismal performance against Manchester City.
Recent matches have seen the Hammers endure heavy defeats, with the 4-1 loss to Manchester City on January 6th being deemed the final straw. This defeat followed another disappointing performance, where they suffered a crippling 5-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool. With only six victories from 20 league matches, the mounting pressure on Lopetegui reached its peak.
According to Football Insider, there had been discussions behind the scenes about Lopetegui's future, with reports indicating he had been 'walking a tightrope' for weeks. Former West Ham senior scout Mick Brown stated, 'Results simply haven’t been good enough, and it’s not as if the performances have been luckless.'
Once thought to be on solid ground following back-to-back wins earlier this season against Southampton and Wolves, the club's fortunes have taken a drastic turn. The defeat against formidable teams compounded with subpar performances prompted West Ham's management to take decisive action.
Graham Potter, the former Chelsea and Brighton @Hove Albion manager, has emerged as the leading candidate for the managerial position at West Ham. Potter has been without work since leaving Chelsea and is reportedly open to returning to management with the Hammers. The timing seems ripe for Potter to make his comeback, with the club seeking to rejuvenate their morale following Lopetegui's exit.
Tony Cottee, legendary West Ham striker, voiced his disappointment at the managerial decisions made by the club, arguing, 'They should hang their heads in shame... it was just so the wrong appointment.' His sentiments reflect growing concern over the club's direction and the accountability of those orchestrated this season's recruitment plans.
Despite hefty investments totaling around £130 million on nine new players this past summer, including Niclas Füllkrug, Crysencio Summerville, and Luis Guilherme, West Ham has failed to deliver results on the pitch. With Graham Potter potentially stepping in, the questions surrounding sporting director Tim Steidten's recruitment strategies and decision-making also loom large.
There have already been reports indicating tensions between Lopetegui and Steidten. It has been revealed by multiple sources, including Mail Sport columnist Sami Mokbel, who noted, 'The relationship between the two has deteriorated amid the side's dismal form.' He was mentioned to have advised Steidten to remain away from the training grounds, not unlike the situation with previous manager Moyes.
The club is now gearing up for the pivotal FA Cup third round match against Aston Villa, followed by their return to league action against Fulham. Optimism is scarce, with Jarrod Bowen, their club captain, sidelined for six to eight weeks due to injury.
With looming fixtures on the horizon, West Ham must act quickly to stabilize the squad. Securing Potter as their new manager could either be their way back to consistency or another misstep for the beleaguered club.