Julen Lopetegui sack latest: West Ham race rivals to appoint 52-yr-old
Julen Lopetegui could be about to come under renewed pressure at West Ham following the latest news on Southampton’s attempts to replace Russell Martin.
The Spaniard only took charge of the Hammers in the summer, when he replaced David Moyes at the London Stadium.
A poor start to the season has already led to suggestions that he is running out of time to save his job in the capital, despite triumphing in the battle of under pressure managers with a 2-1 win over Wolves on 9 December.
A 1-1 draw at Bournemouth a week later is unlikely to have pushed the situation very far one way or the other.
Now it seems as though Lopetegui’s challenge in keeping his job with West Ham could be about to get even harder, due to the latest goings on at another Premier League club.
Southampton put pressure on Lopetegui at West Ham in search for Martin replacement
While the Hammers are yet to change their manager this season, one Premier League club who are now in the process of making such an alteration are Southampton.
Following a 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham on Sunday, the Saints confirmed the sacking of Martin, and they are now looking for a new man to replace the 38-year-old.
As per a report from talkSPORT, former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand, 52, is a contender to now take charge at St Mary’s.
It is also noted that he is under consideration for the West Ham job should they part company with Lopetegui, and that he would be open to a move to the Premier League.
All of that is only likely to put yet more scrutiny on Lopetegui’s own situation, given the Hammers may not want to miss out on someone who they are also interested in potentially appointing.
If they are to that though, with Hjulmand open to a move to England and Southampton looking for a swift appointment, West Ham may not have long left if they want to beat the Saints to him.
David Moyes replacement has not panned out properly so far
Football Insider understands that West Brom’s Carlos Corberan is a top target for Southampton, and has also been told that Graham Potter has already reached an advanced stage of talks over replacing Lopetegui if necessary.
So if both sides land their preferred targets they may not tread on each others’ toes, but in a fast-moving situation like the manager market anything could change the intentions at either club.
But since West Ham themselves are not entirely out of the relegation battle, there is a risk it would prove extra-costly should Hjulmand manage to pull off a remarkable turnaround in form at St Mary’s.
All of that may therefore put more pressure on the decision-makers at the London Stadium to make a call on Lopetegui, if they feel they do not want to miss out on Hjulmand.
So with the pressure already on the Spaniard, this news from elsewhere in the Premier League may not end up helping his perspective on his current job security either.
In other news, West Ham are amoing the clubs keen to sign an EFL sensation.
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