West Ham urged to sack Julen Lopetegui and hire ex-Chelsea manager
'What are the board waiting for?'
West Ham legend Tony Cottee has urged the Hammers to sack Julen Lopetegui and bring in former Chelsea manager Graham Potter to ‘save the club’s season’.
Lopetegui is under immense scrutiny yet again in east London following West Ham’s dismal 5-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
It was the second time West Ham have conceded five goals at home this season following a 5-2 loss to Arsenal last month.
The Irons appeared to have turned a corner in December, taking eight points from four games following a disappointing defeat at Leicester City, but were thrashed by Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
West Ham were tipped for a successful season under former Spain and Real Madrid boss Lopetegui, who took over the club last summer following David Moyes’ departure.
But the Hammers have amassed just 23 points from 19 league games, sitting 13th in the table – nine points above the relegation zone – going into the New Year.
Cottee believes ‘something has to change’ at West Ham and says ‘our fans deserve so much better’ and the ‘dreadful’ result against Liverpool.
The ex-striker wants Lopetegui, 58, to get the chop and named Potter as his ideal replacement at the London Stadium.
Potter, 49, has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 but continues to be linked with various jobs in England and abroad.
Before a chaotic and underwhelming spell at Stamford Bridge, Potter spent three successful years at Brighton and has also managed Championship side Swansea City and Swedish outfit Ostersunds.
Cottee posted on X: ‘What are the board waiting for? A 5-0 drubbing at [Man] City and [to get] knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa?!
‘Get Graham Potter in now and give him a chance to save the season and work in the Jan window…
‘Yesterday was dreadful and something has to change. Our fans deserve so much better.’
Speaking to the press after West Ham’s heavy defeat to Liverpool, Lopetegui said: ‘We did not compete as we were thinking too today or as the opponent Liverpool demands.
‘Today has been a tough day for us. We have played against one of the best teams in the world in this current moment, but it is true that we have to do much better.’
West Ham visit Premier League champions Manchester City next weekend before a FA Cup third-round clash with Aston Villa.
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