As word emerged Julen Lopetegui has the next two games to save his job, a club is preparing for a top West Ham target to leave.
West Ham return to Premier League action on Monday night.
The Hammers face an extremely tough trip to Newcastle under the lights.
The Magpies have won their last three games, beating Forest 3-1, Arsenal 1-0 and Chelsea 2-0.
West Ham, who have just three league wins all season, have been giving up more chances at their goal than any other side.
Julen Lopetegui goes into the game under immense pressure having survived the sack over the international break.
Few are giving the Hammers much hope at St James’ Park and understandably so.
After that comes the small matter of Arsenal at home. The last time West Ham faced the Gunners at the London Stadium in February they lost 6-0.
West Ham’s prospects are made all the more bleak by the fact they continue to be without star player Mohammed Kudus through suspension for both games.
Speculation swirled after the 0-0 draw with Everton that Lopetegui could be sacked.
The Hammers, who sit 14th in the table, have stood by the 57-year-old, though.
Lopetegui could be sacked if West Ham lose next two
Many predict two heavy defeats are in the offing but West Ham’s owners say they don’t expect that to happen.
It only piles more pressure on Lopetegui to avoid that scenario.
Claret and Hugh have suggested the head coach could be sacked if defeats to the Magpies and Gunners do transpire.
Now insecure West Ham boss Lopetegui will be left sweating by a major update from a journalist close to Tim Steidten.
There have been claims of unrest between the Spaniard and the club’s technical director.
News has also emerged that three West Ham players, including two new signings, are unhappy and want to leave.
In September a journalist claimed Steidten warned David Sullivan off appointing Lopetegui.
It was reported that the German wanted to go for a younger compatriot with Edin Terzic, new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness his top picks.
Back in April Hoeness emerged as Steidten’s top candidate according to Alex Crook and Jim White.
Earlier this month, as the heat rose on Lopetegui’s position, it was claimed there remains ‘concrete interest’ from a mystery Premier League club in Hoeness.
So Lopetegui will not like what a source close to Steidten has reported now.
Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg is close with West Ham’s technical director.
Insecure Lopetegui left sweating by update from journalist close to Steidten
Last month top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone suggested Steidten had been briefing Plettenberg on the West Ham managerial situation.
Now the reporter has claimed Stuttgart are so concerned Hoeness will be lured away, they’ve got his replacement lined up.
Plettenberg states Hoeness’ bosses ‘know that a departure is entirely possible’ and that he has ‘received concrete enquiries’.
Although it’s suggested that Hoeness may want to see this season out, he does have a release clause of around £5m in his contract.
“Matthias Jaissle (Al-Ahli) is aware that he is on VfB Stuttgart’s list in case Sebastian Hoeness leaves the club next summer,” Plettenberg states.
“VfB Stuttgart would like to keep Hoeness but the bosses know that a departure is entirely possible, especially since he has already received concrete inquiries.
“Additionally, Hoeness is open to taking the next step after this season. Jaissle, fully focused on his goals with Al-Ahli. Contract until 2026. No release clause (for Jaissle).”
Hoeness is one of the most highly-rated young managers in Europe.
When he took over, Stuttgart were in a relegation battle but stayed up thanks to a a relegation playoff win against Hamburg.
The next season, he had the club fighting for Champions League football as they finished an unlikely second after Bayern Munich’s late slip-up.
Many feel Hoeness is exactly the kind of young, innovative boss the Hammers needed to replace David Moyes.
Whether the club had to go through this Lopetegui experience to finally realise and accept that remains to be seen.
As does whether the owners would be willing to pay out his reported £5m compensation clause.
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