As West Ham reportedly put contingency plans in place for sacking Julen Lopetegui, a top club journalist has had his say.
West Ham’s dismal 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest has turned up the heat on Julen Lopetegui once again.
The Hammers charged Lopetegui will getting them back into Europe.
Indeed his contract was built around it with any kind of European qualification triggering a third year on his two-year deal.
A host of managers have been linked as potential replacements for the Spaniard after drubbings to Spurs and Forest which sandwiched a fortunate win over Man United.
That game could and should have been out of sight at half-time – a fact not lost on West Ham’s owners after the game.
West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League table and face Everton at home this weekend.
There promises to be tension in the air around the London Stadium.
The Toffees can actually go above the Hammers with a win.
Should that happen, some claim it could see Lopetegui sacked.
Speaking to Hammers News after the defeat to Forest, the owners had their say on the Lopetegui situation.
Since then Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg has made a claim which has shocked many fans.
As claim and counter claim abounds over the Lopetegui’s future, a report has emerged claiming the Hammers hierarchy have put two managers on standby to replace him.
A two-week international break following the Everton game is not helping Lopetegui in terms of speculation.
But West Ham’s owners have never been ones to hire and fire. Lopetegui is only the 18th manager in West Ham’s history after all.
That’s not necessarily always a good thing, though.
Now someone who spends time with the Hammers boss on a weekly basis has had his say.
Top West Ham journalist makes brutal Lopetegui claim
Roshane Thomas is the Athletic’s reporter on the Hammers.
He has the opportunity to ask questions of the head coach before and after every game.
So his opinions carry some weight.
The top West Ham journalist who sees Lopetegui every week has made a brutal claim.
Amidst the anger and disappointment surrounding the defeat at Forest, many may have missed Thomas sharing his honest thoughts on the situation.
And it does not bode well for Lopetegui at all.
Because Thomas says the former Wolves boss is incapable of turning things around in east London.
The Athletic reporter also savaged the manager’s tactics and motivational skills.
Thomas states that Lopetegui was the wrong appointment and claims West Ham have ‘regressed’ under him.
Lopetegui is the wrong appointment says Athletic reporter
“I don’t think Lopetegui is capable of turning this around,” Thomas said.
“He was the wrong appointment.
“This team has regressed, has no identity, the players look despondent and the formation/tactics are questionable.
“Lopetegui wants fans to reserve judgement until May, but there is little encouragement that things will improve.
“He keeps persisting with out of form Rodriguez, Summerville brought off early again and another game with a different formation. I could go on all day.”
Thomas has completely dismantled Lopetegui here.
It is an extremely bold claim which may make things very awkward for him in forthcoming press conferences.
So fair play to him for speaking his mind.
His opinion is more informed than many given he actually speaks to the manager on a regular basis.
The fact Thomas feels so strongly is very worrying indeed.
For someone who is in and around Rush Green and the players and staff on a weekly basis to make such an emphatic statement on the manager and situation speaks volumes.
Suddenly Everton really does feel massive.
It will be fascinating to see how Lopetegui handles what promises to be an intense press conference this week.
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