New Delhi: Although there is growing criticism of Julen Lopetegui’s tenure as West Ham manager, the Spaniard’s departure won’t be due to the Hammers’ defense deteriorating under his leadership. Actually, it’s more likely that he didn’t make any improvements to the awful defense he inherited in the first place. The worst defence outside of the promoted teams was played by West Ham last season, and they are playing the worst defense this year as well.
With their most recent thrashing by the hands of Manchester City, they have already had a disastrous start to the year and it seems like the problems will only grow for the from here. Lopetegui’s involvement this season has West Ham rooted to 14th position, and if we compare their previous season’s overall stats, even a ninth placed finish looks less likely to happen for this West Ham side.
Defensive vulnerabilities and worst win percentage
Julen Lopetegui is officially worse than the man who took West Ham down. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/WVbnhmA8b9
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 6, 2025
Since David Moyes left, not much has changed in that area as the east London team continues to give up goals at the same rate as they did during the previous campaign (1.95 goals per game). The Hammers’ defence, which is still among the worst in the league, is not ideal, but their finishing has been better than it was in 2023–24. They have scored fewer goals (1.2 per game compared to 1.58) even though they have taken more shots (14.6 per game versus 11.8) and had a slightly higher anticipated goals number (1.45 per game).
Although West Ham had the results necessary to finish ninth last season, their underlying metrics did not place them as the ninth-best team in the league. Disgruntled spectators could see that in their performances, which finally resulted in the manager being replaced. In West Ham’s last eight Premier League games, they have conceded 20 goals where they have more three goals in a match four times. With 39 goals conceded already, only Southampton(44), Leicester(44) and Wolves(45) have conceded more goals than Julen Lopetegui’s side, raising questions on his tactics.
Currently if we talk about the stats, it suggests that the Spaniard already has a worse win percentage than Avram Grant, the man that got West Ham relegated to the Championship back in the 2010/11, where West Ham finished rock bottom. Grant had a win percentage of 31.91%, while Lopetegui has 31.82%.
None of the recruitments performing
🚨 Niclas Füllkrug has admitted that his move to West Ham has not paid off just four months after joining.
(Source: @TheSunFootball) pic.twitter.com/bMf2tIfffm
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 19, 2024
After Lopetegui took over as manager following his year off from football after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, the club spent more than £100 million on nine new players this summer. Supporters were eager to begin a new era at the club with a wealth of attacking talent. That hasn’t gone as planned, with three straight home losses, a crushing 5-1 League Cup loss away to Liverpool, and some drab football. As a result, reporters have said that the Spaniard faces a “serious” chance of losing his job before November.
The shocking stats of these new players have truly let the side down this season. Niclas Fullkrug scored just twice in the league while the star of last season’s Championship Crynsencio Summerville has barely threatened with just two goal contributions till now. Talking about their most recent signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he has shown some promise going upfront but let’s not talk about the defence of West Ham. Carlos Soler has been a major disappointment as there big things planned for the Spaniard since he made his move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Hammers already have a replacement?
Graham Potter is open to the West Ham job if Julen Lopetegui is sacked. Potter is also prepared to take the role on an initial short-term deal. pic.twitter.com/8l0sNTCfEC
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 6, 2025
Following a dismal start to his stay, West Ham was reportedly debating whether to fire Julen Lopetegui on Monday. Lopetegui is still in his role despite discussions between the board and Graham Potter on a potential replacement for the Spaniard. He held talks with West Ham last month regarding a potential six-month contract, although he hasn’t had a job since his seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge ended in April 2023.
Sérgio Conceição, a former target of West Ham, has joined Milan, and Edin Terzic, the former manager of Borussia Dortmund, is reportedly lukewarm with the idea of taking Lopetegui’s place. A move for the former Juventus manager is improbable due to concerns about Max Allegri’s English.
Richard Keys has called Steidten “classless” for his role in the Lopetegui saga after he was pictured with Potter.
“You’ve got a manager – but you’re negotiating with another one. The guy doing the talking is the same man Moyes couldn’t work with. What a shambles. Classless.” pic.twitter.com/lw2HFuFsMQ
— Central (@WestHam_Central) January 7, 2025
Following yet another breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui, Tim Steidten, the technical director for West Ham, is being absent from the training site. Several people claim that Lopetegui asked Steidten to avoid the training area. West Ham has refuted this, saying the German was concentrating on this month’s transfer window. In spite of this, the situation is reportedly uncomfortable.
Steidten, who has an office at the training field and has come under fire for several of his acquisitions, has helped find possible Lopetegui replacements. The two do not get along. Last season, David Moyes, Lopetegui’s predecessor, also instructed Steidten to avoid training.
Julen Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham looks increasingly fragile and there are a few factors that suggest that maybe the time is up for the Spaniard at West Ham United, Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
