Reports that West Ham Chairman David Sullivan will not sack Julen Lopetegui due to a huge pay-off are wide of the mark.
Sky Sports are reporting that the Hammers’ finances are so precarious that it would stop West Ham from dismissing the 58-year-old Spaniard.
However, the situation with Lopetegui remains unchanged. If the Hammers lose to both Newcastle and Arsenal in the next two Premier League games, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach will likely be given his marching orders.
Certainly if the Irons continue a slide down the EPL table with no indication of a turnaround, the Hammers board will not jeopardise the clubs top flight status.
Reports suggesting Lopetegui will be afforded more time because of the players he brought in are also inaccurate. While Lopetegui pushed for the signings of both Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez, Kilman had been linked with a move to East London under previous manager David Moyes and had been extensively scouted by the club for two years.
J-lo did not have major input in many of West Ham’s summer transfers with director of football Tim Steidten overseeing most of the signings.
As for Lopetegui’s potential pay-off upon dismissal, the Hammers would not be required to pay a single lump severance fee. Instead, they would need to honour his monthly wages for the next 18 months or until he finds alternative employment.
Whilst no doubt, the club would prefer the appointment of the former Sevilla manager to work out, they’re certainly not handcuffed from sacking him by finances.
