Might Lopetegui’s ultimate West Ham recreation come in opposition to his former membership? The Spaniard left Wolves on the eve of final season after being pissed off at not having the ability to signal anyone.
After virtually a 12 months out of labor he turned West Ham supervisor on 1 July, taking on from David Moyes.
Moyes had led West Ham into Europe for 3 consecutive seasons, and received the Europa Convention League, however some followers believed his soccer was too unfavorable.
Former Actual Madrid and Spain boss Lopetegui was meant to enhance that – however the Hammers are 14th place with solely 4 Premier League wins thus far.
A morale-boosting win over Newcastle a few weeks in the past was adopted up by a 5-2 residence loss to Arsenal and 3-1 defeat at struggling Leicester.
West Ham rank ninth for quantity of pictures within the Premier League however solely sixteenth on targets (beneath Wolves) – with a shot conversion fee of 8.74%.
Lopetegui advised journalists on Friday he “was not pondering this” when requested if Monday’s recreation may very well be his final.
“We’re not joyful and for positive the followers are all the time proper,” he mentioned. “Till now I feel they offer us rather more than we give them and we now have to alter this. We’re working for this.
“I’m centered on the issues in our management. The one focus on this second is to return again tomorrow and be centered on Monday.”
Spanish soccer journalist Guillem Balague mentioned: “West Ham performed rather well in opposition to Newcastle and Leicester, however they appear to lack the boldness. That is not inconceivable to appropriate.
“I do see him drained, pressured and never being himself as a result of the group has not clicked but. However he’s satisfied that he can flip issues round.
“He was the Spanish nationwide group supervisor, Actual Madrid supervisor and received the Europa League with Sevilla, however some folks assume he can’t be adequate for a group that completed ninth within the Premier League final season.”
Lopetegui’s future was debated by senior West Ham figures final week – however the decision was made to keep him in place for now.
West Ham legend Tony Cottee mentioned on the BBC Sounds Sacked In The Morning podcast: “I wasn’t in favour of the appointment.
“I did not assume it was following on from David Moyes. I used to be an enormous David Moyes fan. He’d completed an unbelievable job on the membership – received West Ham their first trophy in 43 years.
“Was the soccer free-flowing, attacking soccer? No, probably not. However did West Ham win one thing? Sure, they did.
“I feel it was all the time going to be troublesome to interchange David. Actually, actually troublesome. I did not assume it was the appropriate appointment, however that was solely my very own private emotions. We’re the place we at the moment are.”
