West Ham United has decided to stick with manager Julen Lopetegui despite a crushing 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool that sparked outrage among fans, The Telegraph reports.
Boos echoed around the stadium at both half-time and full-time, and many supporters left early, calling for Lopetegui to be sacked.
The defeat against Liverpool also raised fresh concerns about Lopetetgui’s long-term future within the club’s hierarchy.
Before West Ham’s 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 9, the board were seriously considering parting ways with the Spanish tactician.
However, the win against Wolves kick-started a four-game unbeaten run where they picked up points against Bournemouth & Brighton & Hove Albion before a narrow win away to Southampton.
Despite that run, West Ham’s lacklustre performances have done little to convince the board or the fans that Lopetegui is the right man for the job.
His team selection – particularly his unfair treatment of £30 million summer signing Crysencio Summerville – as well as his choice of tactics, have also sparked renewed scrutiny over his future.
The former Spain and Real Madrid manager was brought in to replace long-serving manager David Moyes last summer.
He was tasked with pushing the Hammers back into contention for European football and was backed significantly in the transfer market.
Despite the unprecedented splurge, West Ham’s inconsistency has left them sitting 13th in the Premier League, just nine points above the relegation zone.
Lopetegui might be struggling, but the West Ham board have opted to keep their faith in the Spaniard for now – although they already have a potential replacement lined up.
Graham Potter would be an ideal replacement for Lopetegui
Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter had expressed an interest in the West Ham job and would have been willing to step in on an interim basis if the Hammers had lost to Wolves.
The 2-1 win may have given Lopetegui a lifeline, but Potter will be waiting in the wings in case the Spaniard fails to turn things around.
The 49-year-old would be an ideal replacement for Lopetegui. His record with Brighton will be a confidence booster for West Ham fans if they can ignore his ill-fated spell at Chelsea.
Potter has turned down several opportunities since leaving West London but will welcome a return to the capital when Lopetegui inevitably proves he’s way out of his depth at London Stadium.