Under-pressure West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui faces a critical match on Monday against Wolves, with his future at the club hanging in the balance. The board has considered this match a “must-win” for the Spaniard, who arrived at the training ground on Thursday morning to find his job still under review after back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Leicester. Despite the mounting pressure, Lopetegui remains confident in his ability to improve the team’s performance, but with West Ham struggling in 14th place in the Premier League and conceding a worrying 27 goals in 14 games, a loss to Wolves could signal the end of his tenure.
West Ham’s underperformance this season, coupled with the team’s defensive fragility, has caused concern among the club’s hierarchy. Majority owner David Sullivan, known for his tendency to support managers for as long as possible, is facing increasing pressure, as West Ham currently sits just six points above the relegation zone. While Lopetegui’s team has attempted to implement new tactics, the Hammers have only won five of their 16 games under him, with their shot conversion rate at a low 8.7%, ranking 16th in the league.
Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes in the summer, was tasked with integrating new signings, altering the team’s system to create more chances, and achieving consistent results. He believes he’s meeting two of those goals but admits there’s still significant room for improvement. During their 3-1 defeat to Leicester, the West Ham supporters made their frustrations clear, chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” which added to the already intense scrutiny surrounding his position.
Across the opposition sideline, Wolves’ manager Gary O’Neil is also feeling the pressure, following a 4-0 loss to Everton and a 4-2 defeat to Bournemouth. Wolves sit second-bottom in the Premier League, with only two wins so far. O’Neil has maintained that his focus is solely on the club’s survival, but a defeat to West Ham could further jeopardize his future. Both managers face critical decisions on Monday, as their futures depend on securing vital points for their teams.
