Sources: West Ham have new manager on stand-by
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Julen Lopetegui is once again one game away from facing the sack at West Ham amid constant pressure, for his job sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that if they cannot pick up points against Brighton and Southampton the manager is expected to be dismissed.
Meanwhile, sources say managers are on standby to take over from Lopetegui if the Hammers’ hierarchy decide there is no way back for the Spaniard.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 14 December that Graham Potter is ready to take the job at any point after holding talks with the board.
West Ham have picked up four points from their last two games, having beaten Wolves before drawing with Bournemouth, and are hopeful their form has turned a corner.
However, failure to put together a strong run of form could see the board pull the trigger as the concerns about the manager’s position have lingered.
West Ham have Julen Lopetegui replacement lined up already
West Ham had seriously considered parting ways with Lopetegui following their 3-1 defeat to Leicester at the King Power, going as far as to hold talks with several alternative managers.
This came as a result of a slow start to the season in which they won just four of their first 14 games.
One of those was Potter, who is believed to be waiting in the wings in case they pull the trigger, while Football Insider also revealed talks had been held with Max Allegri.
However, the board opted in favour of Lopetegui and a victory against Wolves saw the boss fight off the looming pressure of the sack.
Now, though, it is said that pressure is still looming and another dip in form could force the club’s hand despite their previous decision to stick by him.
Sources also say Wolves and Southampton’s decisions to part ways with Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin respectively have raised the pressure on Lopetegui’s position.
In other news, West Ham have accelerated their interest in Evan Ferguson.
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