Two out of work managers put on standby claims source in new West Ham leak

The Spaniard has overseen a poor start to life in east London.

Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest could have been five or six.

Although the water has been muddied slightly by Edson Alvarez’s brainless sending off before half-time.

That in itself – West Ham’s third red card of the season and Alvarez’s second – has been seen as a sign of indiscipline and unrest in the ranks.

The fact is the Hammers are extremely fortunate not to be going into the Everton game off the back of three heavy defeats on the bounce.

Sean Dyche’s Toffees visit the London Stadium knowing they can go above West Ham with a win.

If that happens then there have been claims Lopetegui could be done for.

The Spaniard was appointed on a two-year deal with the express target of getting the Irons back into Europe.

So much so that achievement would automatically trigger a third year in the deal.

Two out of work managers put on standby at West Ham

But after 12 games so far in all competitions – a third of a season – West Ham look a million miles off.

The east Londoners are 14th in the Premier League table and are out of the League Cup after a 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool.

The manner of many of their defeats has perhaps been the most alarming aspect of Lopetegui’s tenure so far.

That and the lack of a clear identity or style of play fans can hang their hats on as a sign of progress.

Leading up to the Man United clash, a host of managers were linked with the Hammers.

The game was dubbed ‘El Sackico’ – and so it proved for Erik ten Hag.

Now two out of work managers have been put on standby claims a source in a new West Ham leak.

And perhaps the biggest question is: who is briefing this information from inside the club – and to what end?

Journalist Ben Jacobs has a top tier track record when it comes to West Ham.

He was the reporter who first called Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal way back in December 2022.

Jacobs also broke the news of West Ham’s move for Lucas Paqueta when he was at Lyon.

Now he claims ‘Hammers chiefs are currently succession planning in case they decide to pull the trigger’ on Lopetegui after Everton.

Who is behind new West Ham leak and to what end?

With a two-week international break looming – the last pause in the season until March – Lopetegui was always going to find himself under this kind of scrutiny.

Especially as the fixtures don’t get much easier after it, with a trip to Newcastle followed by a game against Arsenal.

Jacobs claims he has been briefed that two free agent candidates have been readied to take over from the 57-year-old.

The journalist’s mystery source at the club has also made it clear the concerns are not just about results.

In fact the the club’s hierarchy are just as worried about the lack of identity.

“Lopetegui has struggled to shape the squad after they invested significantly during the summer transfer window, and he’s now under significant pressure as he looks to turn things around at the London Stadium,” Jacobs writes for Give Me Sport.

So who are the men allegedly lined up to potentially take Lopetegui’s place?

Both are familiar names who have been linked in the summer and more recently.

And both are out of work currently, meaning West Ham would not have to pay any compensation for them.

They are Graham Potter and Edin Terzic according to the West Ham leak.

Jacobs doubles down in his piece that West Ham chiefs are already succession planning ahead of a potential sacking for Lopetegui.

Potter has been without a job since being sacked by Chelsea over a year ago. German Terzic walked away from Dortmund in the summer and is said to be highly thought of in the Hammers boardroom after his time as assistant manager under Slaven Bilic.

Lopetegui must now prepare for Everton with that threat looming large over his head.

Hardly ideal but fans have been patient so far and need to see tangible improvement.

Speaking exclusively to Hammers News after the defeat at Forest, a spokesman for the board clarified the current situation on Lopetegui’s future.

But these new leaks suggest Lopetegui does not have the backing of everyone above him at West Ham.

We will find out soon enough if those briefing the likes of Jacobs have the influence to make the change.

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