Julen Lopetegui has dismissed suggestions he has one game – against Wolves on Monday – to save his job, but admitted West Ham fans have given “a lot more than we’ve given them” this season.
Reports after Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat by Leicester City suggest that the match against his former club is out of the question for the Spaniard with another defeat likely to see him sacked from the position he only took up in the summer.
Lopetegui failed to win over the Hammers fans and there were chants against him from the away side during the midweek game at the King Power Stadium.
Under the lights on Monday night to face Wolves ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/DxTnLMxDqv
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 6, 2024
I don’t think about sack shows
A clash against Wolves, whose boss Gary O’Neil is facing similar problems, is another pressure-laden situation, but Lopetegui was trying to focus on the task at hand when he spoke to the media this afternoon.
Asked about the reports, he said: “I wasn’t thinking about that. I thought we have a very important challenge on Monday against a good team who deserve many more points than they have now.
“We have to be focused to have a good response and develop our work by Monday and be ready to give our fans a good day. This is our focus.
“I’m focused on things under our control. I understand the things that happen around us. But the only focus for us right now is the big chance we have against a good team on Monday.”
Lopetegui understands the pressures
Lopetegui is very experienced having managed Spain and Real Madrid in the past and accepts the current situation has been caused by poor results.
He added: “To close this kind of question, I understand all the things around football and how my main responsibility is to be ready to face a tough, tough game – but at the same time a great opportunity for us in home. Let’s be ready to get three points against a good team.
“We are certainly not happy and the fans are right. Until now they give us much more than we give them and we have to change that.
“I am very committed to my work, always. I’m very happy to stay at West Ham, proud to stay at West Ham and we’re going to turn things around.
“That’s why we’re working to be ready on Monday for a big challenge ahead of us against a good team.”
We lose at Leicester. pic.twitter.com/r1rWQadtNT
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 3, 2024
We have to have 35 shots to win
Despite the result, West Ham played well in Leicester, scoring 31 shots, including 10 on target, but were let down by defensive frailties.
“The last match was not enough to have 31 shots,” Lopetegui said. “Next match we should try 35, maybe! But the main thing is to avoid (concede) the first goal and to improve in such small details. An early goal always changes the game.
“The players have a fantastic commitment. I have nothing to say against my players. I take all the responsibility and pressure. My players must enjoy their profession, be demanding of themselves – and they are – and believe in themselves, that’s the most important thing.
“We have to be able to work under that pressure, doing our best is all we can do. At this point in the season, five points is not a big difference – and with five points more (you’re) fighting (at) the other end (of the table).”
