Julen Lopetegui sack: ‘Explosive news at West Ham’
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui was involved in a heated half-time exchange with defender Jean-Clair Todibo as the club consider sacking their under-fire head coach, according to The Mail.
The outlet reported (4 December) the Spanish coach was embroiled in an “intense” verbal dispute with the summer signing at half-time of their 5-2 loss against Arsenal on Saturday (30 November).
As emotions ran high in the home dressing room with the Irons conceding five before half-time Todibo made clear his frustration during the break which escalated into a row with Lopetegui.
The confrontation was not deemed serious enough for the manager to substitute him at half-time, with the French defender completing 90 minutes against the Gunners.
Indeed, the clash is understood not to be the reason behind the defender’s omission from the squad that lost to Leicester on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old is currently suffering with a groin niggle.
West Ham squad have lost faith in Julen Lopetegui
Football Insider opinion
There are big concerns at the London Stadium over the team’s progress since Lopetegui’s appointment following David Moyes’ departure at the end of last season, to leave the former Wolves boss in a precarious position.
After winning just four of his first 14 league games the Spaniard is under intense pressure at West Ham, and it seems increasingly likely that his position as manager could be snatched away in the near future.
This is after Football Insider reported Graham Potter is emerging as the leading contender to be the next West Ham manager.
West Ham have spent more than £100 million on players and they hoped that this investment would take them on to the next level. However the Hammers have suffered seven league defeats this season and they now sit just six points above the relegation zone in 14th place in the Premier League table.
Victory and a positive performance at St James’ Park in the 2-0 win over Newcastle on 25 November sparked optimism that the team may have turned the corner – but two consecutive losses including their 3-1 loss against Leicester have served to intensify the internal doubts of the Irons managers future.
In other news, Jose Mourinho is “very interested” in being the next Irons manager – Football insider reveals.
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