JULEN LOPETEGUI is said to be facing mounting pressure to maintain his role at West Ham, with just two matches remaining to demonstrate his capabilities.

The Spanish coach took over from David Moyes earlier this summer following Moyes’ exit from the club.


Julen Lopetegui has two games to save his job at West Ham

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Julen Lopetegui has two games to save his job at West Ham
Credit: PA

The Hammers were smashed 5-0 in their last match against Liverpool

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The Hammers were demolished 5-0 in their recent match against Liverpool
Credit: Reuters

Lopetegui, 58, has encountered a difficult start during his tenure, with West Ham currently sitting in the lower tier of the league standings.

West Ham has secured just six wins out of their 19 league matches, and their most recent outing ended in a 5-0 loss to Liverpool at the London Stadium.

This disappointing result has intensified scrutiny on the former Real Madrid manager.

TalkSPORT indicated that the West Ham board has given Lopetegui two matches to turn things around to avoid dismissal.

Manchester City and Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

Earlier in the season, he narrowly escaped being sacked following a crucial win against Wolves at the London Stadium.

The match was termed ‘El Sackio’ due to the significant pressure both he and former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil were under.

While both survived that ordeal, O’Neil was let go just six days later after a defeat to Ipswich Town.

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According to sources, former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is waiting in the wings should Lopetegui be dismissed.

The English manager has been out of work since his exit from the Blues in 2023.

Graham Potter acknowledges that he’s ‘considering options’ as speculation grows around his potential appointment to replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham


Graham Potter is reportedly waiting in the wings to replace Lopetegui

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Graham Potter is reportedly waiting in the wings to replace Lopetegui
Credit: AFP

Potter managed Stamford Bridge for only eight months after departing Brighton and Hove Albion.

Moreover, former Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic and German manager Roger Schmidt have also emerged as potential candidates for the managerial role in East London.

Lopetegui’s time has been fraught with issues.

Recently, he faced a serious car accident that has rendered star striker Michail Antonio unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Additionally, his father, Jose, tragically passed away at the age of 94 earlier this month after dealing with health complications.

West Ham youth goalkeeper Oscar Fairs also sadly lost his life at just 15 due to a cancer battle.

Before the defeat against Liverpool, West Ham had enjoyed an unbeaten streak spanning four games.

During this successful run, they triumphed over Wolves and Southampton, with draws against Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion.