West Ham Look to Sack Lopetegui! Undecided on Next Step!

Julen Lopetegui’s future as West Ham head coach is understood to be in doubt, with the club’s board split 60-40 on whether to sack him.

After yet another disastrous outing, fans with West Ham tickets are furious—they want answers from the coach and the manager. Hammers’ fans have had it hard ever since Declan Rice’s departure to Arsenal. 

The fans will remember the night from the Europa Conference League, but that would be the only triumph the club has seen over the years. 

Now, with disappointing form, incumbent manager Julian Lopetegui’s job is also on the line. 

The club’s board is considering whether to sack him following the defeats to Arsenal and Leicester, which have left West Ham 14th in the Premier League.

A final decision on Lopetegui’s future will be made soon.

Speaking after the Leicester defeat on Tuesday, the Spaniard said: “It’s a frustrating night as we deserved much more. Playing football takes work.

“We had 31 shots in the opposition box. Normally, you have to win this match. We had many chances but did not score.

“Tomorrow, we will start looking for the next challenge, knowing we can change the situation.

“They want to win for them, for me and the club. Football is about the win. Today is a day where we deserve much more. The next will be the most important, we must be focused.”

“I think there is a general acceptance that performances simply haven’t been good enough, apart from winning 2-0 away at Newcastle last week.

“At the moment, I think it’s more likely that Lopetegui goes than he stays, but this is a difficult decision for the board to make as he was only appointed in the summer, and they spent a lot of money in the transfer market.

Next Steps

If you look back at what has happened at West Ham under this ownership, they have always tried to give managers as much time as possible. The majority owner, David Sullivan, is always reluctant to sack a manager during a season or his contract.

West Ham tends to have managers like David Moyes and Sam Allardyce, who know a lot about the English game and are pragmatic but get results. Then, the board or the fans with West Ham tickets feel they need to take another step, play more expansive football, change the club’s structure, and bring in a technical director, which needs fixing.

The site has a good technical director in Tim Steiden, who has invested quite a lot of money in signings, but there are still massive lapses in defense. 

The defenders don’t know how to defend, the midfielders don’t know how to run very well, and the forwards are all approaching the end of their careers.

While removing the manager will fix one of the many problems, those with West Ham tickets are looking for someone more than a manager who can bring in that expansive playing style unique to the club, which often gets missed with every new manager. 

It has been a while since West Ham had a good day, and it might be long until that day becomes a reality. 

West Ham’s next six Premier League games 

Bournemouth (a) – December 16, 8 pm 

Brighton (h) – December 21, 3 pm

Southampton (a) – December 26, 3 pm

Liverpool (h) – December 29, 5.15 pm 

Manchester City (a) – January 4, 3 pm

Michail Antonio Recovering After Crash

West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery after a car crash, the club has confirmed.

In a statement, the Hammers said Antonio had been treated for a lower limb fracture after yesterday’s accident and “will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days”.

“Everyone at the Club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news, as well as extending a heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery,” the east London club said.

A picture posted online appears to show Antonio’s damaged car

Antonio, 34, was born in London and scored over 20 appearances for Jamaica’s national team, scoring five goals.

He has been a key player for West Ham in recent seasons.

With 68 goals in the Premier League – England’s top flight – he is the club’s top scorer, ahead of club legend Paolo Di Canio on 47.

Tomas Soucek dedicated his goal in West Ham’s crucial 2-1 win over Wolves to Michail Antonio, revealing the players had a video call with their injured team-mate before Monday’s game.

The Hammers forward, 34, remains in hospital after being involved in a car crash on Saturday.

Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scored as West Ham overcame Wolves in a vital victory. The result moved West Ham nine points clear of the relegation zone and eased the pressure on under-fire head coach Julen Lopetegui.

When asked about Antonio, midfielder Soucek told Sky Sports: “The goal was for him. I said before the game I wanted to score even more today.

“He’s been here since I came here – my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him.

“I am happy he is doing fine, but this is for him. He is a massive player, and he is in my heart.”

The 29-year-old Czech international was worried when he heard the news of Antonio’s accident. He added, “It was really tough for us. I was with the kids, and I saw this information on the phone. I messaged everyone, asking what happened and how he was.

“I was so scared of what was going to happen. It was a tough week for him, his family and us.

“We had a video call with him, the whole team, before the game. He smiled at us and gave us all the best. I can’t wait to visit him. He is a really lovely and funny guy. He even made a few jokes before the game and wished us all the best.”

Everyone with West Ham tickets also wish him the best, and hope that the veteran will be back on the field soon.