“BBC Pundit Suggests Lopetegui Was Close to Being Sacked at West Ham”

The Spaniard secured a crucial 2-0 victory at St James’ Park in the first of two must-win games, ensuring his future in East London remains intact—at least for now—despite a crushing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, 29 December.

Julen Lopetegui’s position as West Ham manager remains under intense scrutiny following these contrasting results.

Former Premier League forward Clinton Morrison, speaking on BBC Sport 5 Live’s Premier League Review (29 December, 18:40), shared his belief that Lopetegui will likely stay at West Ham for the remainder of the season, even after the Liverpool debacle.

Morrison stated, “West Ham brought in a lot of players, and yes, injuries have played a part—but every team deals with injuries.

The style of football hasn’t evolved as expected.

They thought Lopetegui would bring in a more exciting style, but it’s much the same.

However, this was also his style at Wolves, so the hierarchy must have known what kind of manager they were hiring.

“Lopetegui has a strong CV, but sometimes you have to appreciate what you already have. The job David Moyes did at West Ham was outstanding.

Lopetegui faced immense pressure against Newcastle—if he’d lost, he might have been sacked.

But because they’ve been on a decent run with some good results, he has to push on until the season’s end.”

Julen Lopetegui Must Deliver a Better 2025 at West Ham United

It is time for West Ham supporters to accept that Lopetegui is likely to remain in charge.

The team began the season with aspirations for European qualification, fueled by Tim Steidten’s heavy spending.

Remarkably, they still have a chance to achieve this goal, with just six points separating them from sixth and seventh-placed Fulham and Newcastle, positions that secure spots in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

However, significant challenges must be addressed to make this push a reality.

Jarrod Bowen has shouldered the goalscoring burden almost entirely on his own, highlighting the urgent need for a reliable striker in the January transfer window.

Additionally, the looming threat of Mohammed Kudus’s potential departure to Manchester City complicates matters.

Reports suggest the Premier League champions are preparing an “irresistible” offer for the talented player.

While a substantial fee could help Lopetegui adjust his squad, losing such a key figure midseason would be a significant blow.

Lopetegui’s decisions will undoubtedly face close examination throughout the campaign.

While his tenure in East London remains precarious, he still holds the power to turn things around.

If he is to succeed, the Spaniard must address his squad’s shortcomings and deliver a much-improved performance in 2025. His future—and West Ham’s season—hinges on it.