Julen Lopetegui has been told when West Ham will sack him according to a source very close to technical director Tim Steidten.
West Ham’s worrying surrender to fierce rivals Tottenham raised red flags last weekend.
As Hammers fans left Spurs early and with their tails between their legs, many may have missed a plea from their under fire manager.
Julen Lopetegui asked West Ham’s owners to judge him in May.
How long the Spaniard should be given has been the topic of much debate in Hammers circles.
After a major rebuild in which nine arrived and 12 departed, most sensible football people feel the 57-year-old former Spain boss needs time.
The big issue for Lopetegui is a lack of any discernible progress on the pitch in any facet of West Ham’s game.
Steidten source: Lopetegui knows when West Ham will sack him
Given that results have also been poor – with just two Premier League wins in eight so far – it’s easy to see why the heat is on Lopetegui.
As is always the case when negativity creeps in at the London Stadium, there has been claim and counter claim about the situation.
Some sources are of course more reliable than others.
But it raised eyebrows when well-connected German reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed Edin Terzic had been put on standby to replace Lopetegui.
West Ham board source Sean Whetstone then suggested the news had been leaked to Plettenberg by technical director Tim Steidten.
Now there’s been another development after an update from the same journalist.
Sky Sports journalist says Hammers boss has three games
The source very close to Steidten claims Lopetegui knows when West Ham will sack him.
Amid further speculation that another manager may be approached by the Hammers to replace Lopetegui, Plettenberg has taken to X.
The Sky Sports Germany journalist says West Ham are still backing Lopetegui.
But his update only serves to pile further pressure on West Ham’s head coach.
Because, according to Plettenberg, Lopetegui has been told he has three games to save his job.
And he doubles down on the fact potential replacements are being lined up.
“The owners of West Ham continue to back Julen Lopetegui,” Plettenberg said on X.
“However, the next three games leading up to the international break will be crucial for his future. Lopetegui is well aware of this.
“His strong work ethic is highly appreciated at West Ham, but the team’s progress has stalled.
“In the background, potential candidates are already being evaluated to be prepared.”
Some backing that is.
If there was any doubt Lopetegui was under pressure, that has now well and truly been put to bed.
A win against Man United would do the manager and the team the world of good.
It sounds like defeat and failure to get six points from Forest and Everton thereafter could prove fatal for Lopetegui’s West Ham future.
The good news for Lopetegui is that West Ham have a decent record at home against Man United.
And Erik ten Hag is under just as much – if not more given the size of Man United – pressure as him.
It’s been dubbed ‘El Sackico’. But if West Ham lose then Lopetegui will have two more games to save his job if Plettenberg is correct.
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