West Ham Set to Decide Lopetegui’s Fate by Deadline – Report

Cross’ report for The Mirror (4 December) highlights how West Ham United’s faltering quest for a European spot has triggered urgent discussions regarding Julen Lopetegui’s future as head coach.

Speculation about potential successors has dominated Premier League news since the Hammers’ 3-1 defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday night (3 December).

West Ham faces a critical decision about Lopetegui’s position before their match against Wolves on Monday (9 December).

If they opt to dismiss him just 16 games into his tenure, he will miss the opportunity to face his former club.

While the Wolves game appears winnable, West Ham’s season has been marred by poor performances, particularly defensively, with notable failures against Leicester and Arsenal.

Despite rare moments of promise, the Hammers’ £120 million summer spending spree has yielded disappointing results, with the team struggling to meet expectations.

Lopetegui’s hopes may rest on the return of Niclas Fullkrug to revive their fortunes, but his position remains precarious, with this week likely to bring continued uncertainty.

In the past 24 hours, numerous names have surfaced as potential replacements for the former Spain and Real Madrid coach, dispelling concerns over a lack of viable alternatives.

This mounting speculation underscores the pressure on West Ham to make a definitive decision in the coming days.