“Exclusive: The Surprising Reason West Ham Are Sticking with Julen Lopetegui”

Julen Lopetegui appears to have used up most of his chances at West Ham, with his tenure in serious jeopardy after a dismal first half of the season.

 

The Spaniard has struggled to turn the team’s fortunes around since replacing David Moyes, and the results speak for themselves.

 

The decline at the London Stadium predates Lopetegui’s arrival, but addressing that malaise was precisely why he was brought in.

 

Under Moyes, West Ham managed just five Premier League wins in the second half of the previous season.

 

This term, Lopetegui has secured only six victories by the halfway mark.

 

The performances under his leadership have been uninspiring, with many fans arguing that the team has regressed.

 

The Hammers remain defensively fragile, conceding goals with alarming regularity, as evidenced by their humiliating 5-0 loss to Liverpool—a scoreline that could easily have been worse.

Given Lopetegui’s pedigree as a former Spain and Real Madrid coach, there were high hopes that he would instill a more sophisticated tactical approach.

 

Instead, West Ham’s naivety on the pitch has become even more apparent.

 

Perhaps most concerning is the resurgence of the soft underbelly that Moyes had worked hard to eradicate.

 

This vulnerability has returned in full force in 2024, with no signs of improvement on the horizon.

 

West Ham’s summer spending spree of £155 million was meant to strengthen the squad, but the results have been underwhelming.

 

Fans who once voiced their anger at Lopetegui during defeats, such as the 3-1 loss to Leicester, now seem to be sinking into apathy—a dangerous state for any football club.

 

When supporters become disengaged, it often translates to empty seats at the stadium, something the club’s owners will undoubtedly be keen to avoid.

 

Yet, every time Lopetegui has teetered on the brink of dismissal, he has managed to scrape by, often against struggling opponents.

 

A host of names have been linked as potential successors to the 58-year-old.

 

These include Edin Terzic, Roger Schmidt, and Sergio Conceição, who is reportedly headed to Milan. Graham Potter has also been mentioned as a possible short-term replacement.

 

Among fans, there’s growing sentiment that almost anyone could do a better job than Lopetegui, which only adds to the confusion over why he remains in charge.

 

The reason for Lopetegui’s continued tenure may lie in the divided opinions within West Ham’s hierarchy.

 

Earlier this month, reports emerged of a six-way split among board members regarding his replacement.

 

Technical director Tim Steidten is reportedly in favor of hiring Terzic or Schmidt, both of whom are his compatriots.

 

Vice-chairman Karren Brady is said to prefer Potter, citing her close personal ties to him through her husband, Paul Peschisolido.

Meanwhile, sporting director Mark Noble, whose focus is now on the club’s academy, is thought to favor Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick.

 

Two influential agents involved in the decision-making process are believed to back Christophe Galtier and Max Allegri.

 

Majority owner David Sullivan reportedly supports a caretaker approach, with Potter taking charge until the summer before Allegri is appointed permanently.

 

Sullivan’s preference for Allegri has been a recurring theme.

 

The Italian tactician, who boasts an impressive CV with six Serie A titles and 14 major trophies, is seen as Sullivan’s ultimate target.

 

Allegri also has two Champions League runner-up finishes to his name and would represent a high-profile addition to the Hammers’ ranks.

 

Sullivan was recently seen sitting with prominent agent Will Salthouse during West Ham’s draw with Brighton, fueling speculation about ongoing discussions.

 

Sources suggest Allegri has already held productive talks with the club and is keen on the job, though he prefers to start in the summer rather than midway through the season.

 

Allegri was spotted in London recently, reportedly taking intensive English lessons—a move interpreted by many as preparation for a Premier League role.

 

When asked about West Ham in a recent interview, Allegri declined to comment, using his newly acquired English skills to avoid giving a direct answer.

 

If West Ham are indeed holding off on sacking Lopetegui to secure Allegri’s services in the summer, it could prove to be a masterstroke.

 

The 57-year-old’s reputation as a proven winner would bring a level of gravitas that the club has lacked.

 

For Allegri, it would also be his first managerial role outside of Italy—a significant milestone in his illustrious career.

 

In the meantime, Lopetegui’s position remains precarious. His team’s performances against Crystal Palace and Fulham could be decisive, but even if he manages to hold on, the writing appears to be on the wall.

 

The Hammers are at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming months will shape the club’s future for years to come.

 

For fans, the prospect of Allegri taking over may offer a glimmer of hope amid the gloom.

 

But until then, patience is wearing thin, and West Ham’s struggles under Lopetegui continue to cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a season of progress.