Those warning West Ham to ‘be careful what you wish for’ could soon be feasting on irony as the stars align for the comeback story of the year.
Julen Lopetegui is under intense pressure at West Ham.
The Spaniard has failed to get a tune out of his expensively assembled squad since replacing David Moyes in the summer.
Although Lopetegui has only had 11 Premier League games as Hammers boss, he has been active in the post for nearly six months now.
A large number of West Ham fans have been totally underwhelmed by what they’ve seen so far.
Speculation swirled after the 0-0 draw with Everton that Lopetegui could be sacked during the international break.
The Hammers, who sit 14th in the table, have stood by the 57-year-old, though.
Many fans fear two heavy defeats are in the offing with Newcastle away and Arsenal at home next.
West Ham’s owners say they don’t expect that to happen, piling more pressure on Lopetegui to avoid that scenario.
Claret and Hugh have suggested the head coach could be sacked by December 1st, if defeats to the Magpies and Gunners do transpire.
West Ham’s worst Moyes fears could be realised
That means West Ham’s worst Moyes fears could be realised after a journalist’s update on a managerial situation.
Many in the wider football media – and even some Hammers fans who wanted him to stay – have been waiting to say ‘I told you so’ about the club’s decision to part ways with Moyes.
Supporters who wanted a change from the Scot have been quick to point out that did not mean they necessarily wanted Lopetegui.
Some West Ham fans have been debating a third term for Moyes at the club.
That’s after it was confirmed he is now ready to return to management following his London Stadium exit.
Moyes coming back as West Ham’s manager was ruled out last week.
But taking over as the manager of the team which could Hammer the final nail in Lopetegui’s West Ham coffin is becoming a distinct possibility.
It was claimed last week that Leicester are one of the clubs seriously eyeing Moyes should they decide to sack Steve Cooper.
Journalist Alan Nixon reported on his Patreon at the weekend that Cooper’s job is looking increasingly uncertain at Leicester.
The Foxes have Chelsea and Brentford next before welcoming West Ham to the King Power on December 3rd.
If West Ham lose to Newcastle and Arsenal then Lopetegui could well lose his job as suggested.
Moyes return could spell end for Lopetegui in ultimate irony
But what seems a much more likely scenario is that he will be given the Leicester game – one West Ham would be expected to win by the owners – before a decision is made.
If Moyes replaces Cooper, as gathering rumours suggest he might, then the ultimate irony could unfold.
West Ham could be going up against the man they replaced knowing he could deliver the knockout blow for his successor.
There are a host of ‘ifs’ before that would happen of course.
But should such a situation transpire there’s no hiding it would be extremely embarrassing for the Hammers.
Whatever he might say about it publicly, Moyes would undoubtedly relish that given how things ended between him and technical director Tim Steidten.
At the moment it is a big hypothetical. But by no means far-fetched in any way, shape or form.
Moyes getting Lopetegui sacked would give those who jumped aboard the ‘careful what you wish for’ bandwagon plenty of ammunition.
It would be the comeback story of the year in the Premier League. The press would lap it up and paint it as revenge and vindication for the Scot.
Although in reality it would prove nothing more than a coincidence of timing and circumstance.
Because if Lopetegui fails it does not prove moving on from Moyes was a mistake. Rather that West Ham got his replacement wrong.
A further layer of irony is that Cooper was himself surprisingly linked with the West Ham job when it was clear Moyes was leaving.
Related Posts
