- West Ham have made a poor start to the season and sit 14th in the table
- Pressure is mounting on Julen Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes
- Will Ruben Amorim be Man United’s saviour? LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday
Julen Lopetegui has laughed off claims he has two games to save his job at West Ham.
The Spaniard is under growing pressure following a poor start to his tenure with the Hammers just five points above the relegation zone after three wins from 11 games.
Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes in the summer, confirmed he spoke with West Ham chairman David Sullivan over the international break but rejected suggestions of reports over the last few days that his future will depend on their results against Newcastle and Arsenal.
‘No, the only thing I am focused on is to be able to go to Newcastle in a tough match against a very good team,’ said Lopetegui, with a laugh, when asked if the next two games would decide his fate. ‘The rest of it, believe me, it’s football, it’s up to you, the press… I am not focused on this.
‘It’s true that we are not happy with the position that we are in, but we have a lot of time to change this. This is step by step to correct, little by little, what we have to do to improve as a team and be able to compete at the maximum level.’
Speculation this week, however, suggested Lopetegui might not be afforded such time if it goes badly at St James’ Park on Monday night with the club hierarchy said to have begun searching for his replacement with a list of names that include former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic.
Julen Lopetegui has laughed off claims he has two games to save his job at West Ham
The Spaniard is under growing pressure following a poor start to his tenure with the Hammers
‘Our life is to live under pressure,’ added Lopetegui. ‘That is why we choose this world.
‘The more important thing is that we are working very hard to improve a lot. The players have a big commitment to do this. I am sure that we are going to achieve our levels.
‘I am not listening or reading. I am focused on working in my daily work to be able to understand what things can happen to be a better team. The rest of the things are out of my control.
‘We have done good things, but not enough things and we have to do more good things.
‘We put all our focus on the things we can control to be able to work better, high demanding knowing that the players need to do better and knowing that the season arrives in May, not November. Let’s see what happens in two, three months.’
Lopetegui confirmed the Hammers will still be without striker Niclas Fullkrug for those two key games as the £27million summer signing remains out with an Achilles injury.
Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus remain suspended while Lopetegui was hopeful on the fitness of two unnamed players with knocks ahead of the trip to St James’ Park.
‘Niclas is out, he’s improving but he is not ready for Newcastle,’ said Lopetegui. ‘We have a little problem with two players but we have to check tomorrow. I hope they are ready for the challenge on Monday.
‘It’s a busy and key month for us with lots of matches. We have to be ready to be competitive. Fortunately, the red card suspension for Edson finishes after Newcastle, Kudus after two matches more.
‘Maybe after the next two matches, we are going to have more players. Fullkrug, maybe, after these two matches he will be ready.
‘We will have better opportunity to be competitive and to have better answers in the next challenge.’
