Claims of unrest in the ranks at West Ham and dire performances have left Julen Lopetegui hanging by a thread.
West Ham’s performances and results this season have left Julen Lopetegui nowhere to hide.
Speculation is approaching fever pitch over the manager’s Hammers future.
A sharp upturn in how the team plays and results is needed to save his job.
If indeed he survives the international break amid talk he could be sacked before the Premier League trip to Newcastle next.
One of the biggest red flags so far under the 57-year-old is the perception the team is not playing for him.
Certainly not with any passion or conviction.
That has rung alarm bells among fans and in the boardroom.
Especially judging by reports that several managers are being lined up as potential replacements for Lopetegui.
Many West Ham supporters were underwhelmed when the ex Wolves man was appointed as David Moyes’ successor.
It has appeared the players feel the same. And that is concerning given the arrival of a new boss usually results in a spike in performances and effort, not a dip.
Nobody is enjoying themselves so far under the Spaniard. Fans are bored, players look fed up and uninspired and even the manager wears a perma-scowl.
Reporter Alex Crook recently claimed there is unrest in the West Ham dressing room with several players ‘unconvinced’ by Lopetegui.
Ex West Ham star shares what players told him about Lopetegui
The actions of some Hammers stars have also done little to dampen reports of unrest in the ranks.
Mohammed Kudus took the manager on in the changing room at Brentford after being singled out for criticism. The star boy was hauled off and was seen kicking a seat on his return to the bench for the second half.
When he was sent off at Spurs, some suggested it was a sign Kudus, who has been visibly frustrated at being played on the left, was acting out against the manager.
Edson Alvarez has shown indiscipline as well with two red cards.
After his latest, Alvarez apologised to fans and his teammates on social media, but notably not the manager.
There was more public dissent towards Lopetegui from three West Ham stars against Everton.
That has suggested the Spaniard garners very little respect in the dressing room.
After all if West Ham’s players like playing for Lopetegui and enjoy or understand his tactics then they’ve certainly had a funny way of showing it this season.
So fans will be very interested to hear what a former player who spend a lot of time in and around the club has had to say.
Harewood makes big claim about Hammers
An ex star now employed by West Ham shares a surprising thing the players told him about Lopetegui.
Marlon Harewood is a big fan favourite in east London.
What the Hammers would do for a striker with his attributes right now.
Harewood does some work for the club, hosting fans at games in an ambassadorial role.
So he’s very much speaking with more inside knowledge than most.
And he claims West Ham’s players have told him they do like Lopetegui.
Harewood also believes it is only a matter of time before things click for the Hammers.
Although he says that needs to happen sooner rather than later if Lopetegui is to avoid being sacked.
“They’ve got the quality of players that can go on and do really well,” Harewood told Sky Sports News (4.55pm).
“It’s just not working at the moment with whatever formula they’re going with.
“But I can see they’re going to break through because they’ve got some really class players there and the manager wants to do really well.
“The lads speak very highly of him.
“Only time will tell because obviously now in the Premier League you haven’t got time to set the ship. But I’m confident they’re going to bring it through and pull some decent results out.
“Obviously the games come thick and fast (from here on) so they’ve just got to concentrate on the next game. The break has come (at the right time) really i think the lads need it to regroup and analyse where they’re going wrong with the analysts that they’ve got and hopefully they can kick on from here because they have got a very, very good team and I can see them breaking through.
“But obviously time is of the essence and they need to start pulling performances out.”
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