When it was revealed that Julen Lopetegui was to be the new West Ham manager, supporters could’ve been forgiven for believing that a return to the ‘West Ham way’ was on the cards.
The East London faithful have been brought up on a diet of entertaining and expansive football, and that’s arguably why, despite European success, David Moyes eventually fell on his sword.
However, after just a few games of the season, West Ham Blog were reporting that fans were already calling for Lopetegui’s head.
David Sullivan makes Julen Lopetegui decision
After the sixth-highest net spend on transfers in Europe this summer, with the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville being landed, it’s clear that better results than one win from six in the Premier League was expected.
At the time of writing the Hammers find themselves down in 14th position in the English top-flight, and just two points off the bottom three.
If things don’t improve, a former EPL CEO has suggested that a “notorious” West Ham element will ensure that things “won’t end well” for Lopetegui.
Irons chairman, David Sullivan, retains ultimate responsibility for what happens next with the Spaniard, and as Give Me Sport note, he won’t be taking a quick decision on his manager.
It would appear that Sullivan, as he did with David Moyes when the pressure was on, is keen to avoid a knee-jerk reaction.
Whilst that would seem to be a sensible decision on the face of it, if results and level of performance continue to be well below acceptable standards, it may well be that Sullivan has to revisit things before the turn of the year and the opening of the January transfer window.
The next fixture against Ipswich Town looms large, and a reverse against the Premier League new boys – who have yet to win a game – will really pile the pressure on.