A source close to West Ham’s board has revealed details of a conversation between Julen Lopetegui and the club’s majority owner.
Julen Lopetegui is a man under intense early pressure at West Ham.
And the new Hammers boss is under no illusions about that.
Hammers News exclusively revealed on Sunday that West Ham’s owners are far from impressed with the team or Jean-Clair Todibo situation so far.
It comes in the wake of a poor start to life in east London for Lopetegui.
The Spaniard is already being heavily criticised by the media and fans.
His fledgling tenure has been labelled ‘shambolic’ and ‘strange’ by Dean Ashton and Danny Murphy to name but two.
After a year out of the game, the 57-year-old has overseen the worst league start to a season at home in West Ham’s 129-year history.
Dismal start to life at West Ham brings pressure on Lopetegui
The Hammers have also given up more shots on their goal than any other side. And by some distance with 83 being 20 clear of the next worst.
West Ham are not much better in attack either. The team has created the second fewest ‘big chances’ under Lopetegui so far.
Although the Hammers have only played five Premier League games, the latest, a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, was particularly worrying.
West Ham were wide open at the back and were fortunate not to lose by more.
Fans booed the team off at the London Stadium and even jeered Lopetegui’s substitutions.
What would have caught the attention of unimpressed majority owner David Sullivan and co more than anything, though, was thousands of supporters walking out en masse with 20 minutes still to play.
Lopetegui holds talks with Sullivan just six games in at West Ham
Hammers fans wanted a young, modern, attack-minded manager with fresh ideas to replace David Moyes.
So far, though, Irons supporters have little they can get behind as an identity or philosophy of play.
The club are also concerned by the manager’s reluctance to use Todibo – their star capture of the summer.
Hammers News exclusively revealed Lopetegui feels he is ‘not tough enough for the Premier League yet’ but the board believe he deserves games.
Journalist Jacob Steinberg has made an astonishing claim that Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten are already under massive pressure.
Now Lopetegui has held talks with Sullivan just six games in at West Ham.
Club insider Sean Whetstone, who counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady as contacts, says Lopetegui has spoken to the top brass to plead his case.
“Julen Lopetegui knows things have to improve and he has assured the board they will,” Whetstone revealed.
“Sadly not a single West Ham player played to their true potential yesterday.”
Several West Ham players have made their feelings clear in the wake of the Chelsea defeat.
Lucas Paqueta has spoken out on the shambles under Lopetegui.
Carlos Soler and two of his Hammers teammates have also urged the board and fans not to be too hasty.
If Lopetegui is looking for some respite, things don’t get any easier this week.
The Hammers face the daunting task of Liverpool at Anfield under the lights on Wednesday night.
And the Reds will be gunning for silverware under new manager Arne Slot.
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