Julen Lopetegui faces an extremely bleak future at West Ham United, that much is certain.
West Ham decided to replace David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui in the summer, and that decision is now looking questionable to say the least.
Lopetegui faces the sack if the Hammers lose convincingly against Newcastle United and Arsenal respectively.
However, on the flip-side, it has been claimed that Lopetegui retains the full support of his players.
I’m just not sure I believe that. The proof is in the pudding at the end of the day, and the players’ performances this season support another narrative – one whereby Lopetegui has lost the dressing room.
The 58-year-old has failed to implement a consistent playing style at the London Stadium, and the Hammers lack any kind of footballing identity.
All is clearly not well at West Ham, but who could actually come in and replace Lopetegui a third of the way through the season, and crucially, improve on what he’s served up so far?
Ex West Ham player perfect replacement for Julen Lopetegui
The Spaniard is seemingly a dead man walking right now.
I don’t envisage a scenario whereby he lasts in his role as head coach beyond the end of the month.
But who could come in to replace him, if he is indeed moved on? Top journalist Henry Winter shared an idea today on the radio.
When speaking live on talkSPORT on Sunday morning (November 24th, 10:55am), Winter explained why West Ham fans would be happier with someone like Michael Carrick in charge.
The world famous journalist said, “I just don’t get him. I just don’t see how he fits into the West Ham way. If you’re looking for rejuvenation after David Moyes, what has Lopetegui done? There’s recruitment problems and a lack of pace, but I just don’t see how he inspires them.“
“Carrick is doing a good job at Middlesbrough. A lot of West Ham fans have mentioned him. Is Lopetegui the man? I’m not convinced.“
Winter is spot on here.
It’s fair to argue that the Hammers have actually regressed under Lopetegui, and that’s simply not good enough, considering the huge outlay on transfers in the summer.
The Spaniard is a pragmatist at heart, and he’s quite simply not the man we needed to take us forward after David Moyes.
Michael Carrick an upgrade on Lopetegui at West Ham?
Carrick’s Middlesbrough side are currently sitting in fifth spot in the Championship table, just five points adrift of top spot, and they have won their last three league games in a row.
The 43-year-old – an ex-Hammer – has his team playing some truly delightful football, and he would undoubtedly bring a more expansive style to the London Stadium.
The Premier League winner has been heavily linked with the Hammers job in the past.
He sets up with a 4-2-3-1 system, and puts huge emphasis on his players expressing themselves.
Carrick is tactically astute and is a superb manager of men.
The Middlesbrough manager always has his team playing with real energy and dynamism – two things we’re severely lacking under Lopetegui.
When the time comes, we could do a lot worse than Carrick in my opinion.
I would be willing to give Michael Carrick a chance if David Sullivan sacks Julen Lopetegui, and gives the Boro boss an opportunity to shine at West Ham.
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