Two English managers want West Ham job but they’re not on shortlist – Graham Potter isn’t one. If West Ham do decide to sack Julen Lopetegui then it seems they will have plenty of candidates to replace him.
Reports are gathering pace that Julen Lopetegui will be axed by West Ham. Journalist Dharmesh Sheth says the axe is looming large over the Spaniard following the shambolic defeats to Arsenal and Leicester.
West Ham welcome Wolves to the London Stadium in the Premier League on Monday night.
According to Sky Sports’ senior reporter Kaveh Solhekol it is 60/40 that Lopetegui will be fired before then. Solhekol, who is known to count Hammers’ majority owner David Sullivan among his close contacts, claims there will be a final decision made on Friday.
He states the West Ham hierarchy are “split 60/40” over whether to bring the ex Wolves manager’s reign to an end after 16 games in all competitions.
Just five of those have ended in wins after the 3-1 loss to Leicester. West Ham’s woeful defensive displays and the manager’s questionable tactics have cast serious doubt over his future.
Hammers fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” to Lopetegui at the King Power.
It seems he has escaped that precise fate.
But Friday morning may be a more realistic timeframe according to Solhekol.
Two English managers want West Ham job – Potter isn’t one. Who would replace the former Spain boss at the Hammers helm though?
During the November international break, no less than 12 managers were linked with West Ham.
Lopetegui survived but now finds himself under intense pressure.
Yesterday it was claimed Sullivan has lined up former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao. Journalist Jacob Steinberg and L’Equipe both claimed Conceicao wants the West Ham job too.
Former Hammers assistant coach Edin Terzic has been heavily linked, as has Graham Potter.
Now two English managers want the West Ham job but they’re not on the shortlist. Although Potter isn’t one of them.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed to Hammers News that a board meeting is being held today (Wednesday) – ahead of Friday’s decision.
His sources claim the two managers, who have both played for West Ham, are very keen if Lopetegui is relieved of his duties.
O’Neil and Carrick ‘want’ West Ham – but they’re not on shortlist
It is claimed Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and his fellow former West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick – now manager of Middlesbrough – are the men who want the job.
O’Neil is under pressure himself at Wolves – one of only two clubs who have conceded more than the Hammers this season.
Meanwhile Carrick has Middlesbrough in the promotion mix to return to the Premier League from the Championship.
Both have connections to the club.
Carrick came through West Ham’s famed Academy and has become known for giving young players a chance at the Riverside.
The problem for O’Neil and Carrick, though, is that neither are currently on Sullivan and co’s shortlist.
If reports overnight are to be believed that shortlist currently consists of Conceicao, Terzic, Potter and – increasingly in the last few days – Max Allegri.
