It’s not just supporters and the media Julen Lopetegui is struggling to win over at West Ham after succeeding David Moyes it seems.
That’s if a new claim about the situation at West Ham from a journalist is to be believed.
Julen Lopetegui finds himself among a clutch of Premier League managers under early pressure.
West Ham’s exciting new era post David Moyes has been something of a damp squib so far.
Expectations were high after the owners backed Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten with £155m for nine new signings in the summer.
But the Hammers also saw 12 leave – meaning a mammoth turnaround of 21 players on last season’s squad.
That, coupled with pressure and expectation of a drastic change in the style of play, has made things difficult for West Ham’s new head coach.
Poor performances have resulted in just one Premier League win for the Hammers under Lopetegui so far.
There’s been a continuation of the kind of form West Ham showed under Moyes since the turn of the year.
West Ham have won just seven games from 32 in all competitions in 2024.
Lopetegui has set an unwanted new club record by being the first West Ham manager in 129 years to preside over three home league defeats to start a season.
The 57-year-old has been left under no illusions that must change with the home game against Ipswich on Saturday.
The clash against the newly promoted Tractor Boys was marked down as a banker for the Hammers.
But they’ve been no easy touch so far.
Journalist says West Ham players not convinced by Lopetegui
While there have been glimpses of progress in terms of possession and passing statistics at West Ham, many fans already have reservations over the manager.
Some have labelled him ‘a Spanish Moyes’. Others feel it is far too soon to be writing the ex Spain and Sevilla boss off.
The media have been out to get Lopetegui from the get go. Partly because he is replacing press favourite Moyes and due to the fact he walked out on Wolves on the eve of last season.
It’s not just some fans and the press pack the Hammers boss is yet to win over, though.
Because a journalist says West Ham players are not convinced by Lopetegui as David Sullivan reacts.
It was claimed recently that Steidten had warned majority owner Sullivan off appointing Lopetegui.
Sullivan is said to have pulled rank on the appointment with Steidten and others ultimately backing the move in the end too.
Kudus bust-up adds to negative Hammers narrative
Lopetegui was jeered by West Ham fans during the club’s last home game – a 3-0 defeat to London rivals Chelsea.
He subbed off Crysencio Summerville, who most felt had been the team’s best player on the day.
Lopetegui then made headlines again at Brentford by substituting Mohammed Kudus at half-time.
Kudus had been one of West Ham’s brighter players. But since then it has emerged that Kudus and Lopetegui had a blazing row in the dressing room at half-time.
Lopetegui confirmed after the game Kudus was subbed off for tactical reasons and the good of the team.
Lucas Paqueta was also substituted in the second half and made his displeasure clear by shaking his head at the manager as he sauntered off the pitch.
The third of West Ham’s Holy Trinity – Jarrod Bowen – was also subbed off at the end of the game and not for the first time.
David Sullivan reacts as players ‘not having’ new West Ham boss
Tony Cascarino was at the Gtech for the game and claimed there is unrest between Lopetegui and star players in the dressing room.
He also thinks the Irons have regressed under the new manager.
Two top sources have insisted Lopetegui and Kudus have put the incident behind them.
But journalist Dean Jones claims his sources have told him something very concerning indeed.
In an exclusive for Give Me Sport, Jones states Lopetegui is struggling to win over West Ham’s players so far.
He says Sullivan is continuing to back Lopetegui for now, even if some players are not having the manager.
“West Ham United are standing by Julen Lopetegui at a time when he is struggling to win over his own players at the London Stadium, according to GIVEMESPORT sources…” Jones reports.
“Sources say that unless there is an obvious, outstanding candidate that could obviously be brought in to replace Lopetegui, Sullivan will continue with his belief that the Spanish tactician must be given time.
“But there are issues to deal with, as reports have begun to emerge that players within the camp are not entirely happy with the way things have been going.”
“Sullivan wants his decision on this head coach to be given time to be proved as a good one but, for that to happen, Lopetegui has to get his best players firing.”
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