Julen Lopetegui has insisted he is paying no attention to speculation surrounding his future at West Ham, amid rumors he faces two crunch games.
There were reasons to be optimistic this summer following the Spaniard’s appointment as David Moyes’ successor.
Strongly backed in the transfer market with a spend of over £150 million to strengthen the squad with the additions of Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Jean-Clair Todibo.
However, early life in east London was difficult for the former Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wolves and Spain national team manager.
The Hammers have won just three of their opening 11 Premier League games – including two against teams below them in the table – and are just five points above the relegation zone ahead of matches this weekend.
With a trip to Newcastle United and a home London derby against Arsenal on the horizon for West Ham, reports claim Lopetegui has those two games to save his job as the club reportedly used the international break to explore replacements potential.
Furthermore, the Guardian states that although the club clings to the hope that the Spaniard can turn things around, confidence in the manager is fading and defeats in the aforementioned matches will likely have serious consequences for the player 58 years old.
However, Lopetegui struggled during his pre-match press conference on Friday. Responding to a question on handling pressure, he stressed that the team should be judged at the end of the season.
“I don’t listen or read what is said, I prefer to work hard. We only focus on what we can control, which is to work hard and try to improve,” he said. he insisted.
“The season ends in May, so let’s see how we do then rather than in November.
“The only thing I’m focusing on now is going to Newcastle on Monday and trying to get a good result in a tough game.”
It is worth noting that David Sullivan, West Ham’s largest shareholder, has been reluctant to make a managerial change mid-season.
However, the Guardian reported that Sullivan could make an about-face as concern over performances under Lopetegui grows, with the club showing interest in former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and carrying out internal checks on the former Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, former Benfica coach. Roger Schmidt and Sebastian Hoeness from Stuttgart.