Julen Lopetegui dismissed suggestions he has one game – against Wolves on Monday – to save his job but admitted the West Ham fans have given “much more than we have given them” this season.
Reports following Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat at Leicester City have suggested the game against his former club is make-or-break for the Spaniard with another defeat likely to see him sacked from the post he only took up in the summer.
Lopetegui has failed to win over the Hammers fans and there were chants against him from the away end 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
Not thinking about sack reports
A clash against Wolves, whose boss Gary O’Neil is facing similar problems, is another pressure-laden situation but Lopetegui was attempting to focus on the task at hand when he addressed the media this lunchtime.
Asked about the reports, he said: “I was not thinking of this. I was thinking we have one 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 one good answer and develop our work until Monday and be ready to give our fans one good day. That’s our focus.
“I am focused on the things under our control. I understand the things that happen around us. But the only focus for us in this moment is the big opportunity we have against a good team on Monday.”
Lopetegui understands pressures
Lopetegui is vastly experienced having managed Spain and Real Madrid in the past and accepts the current situation has been brought about 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, hard match – but in the same way a big opportunity for us at home. To be ready to achieve three points, against a good team.
“For sure we aren’t happy and the fans are right. Until now they give us much more than we give them and we have to change this.
“I have a big commitment in my work, always. I’m very happy to stay in West Ham, proud to stay in West Ham and we are going to change the situation.
“That’s why we are working to be ready on Monday against a big challenge we have in front of us against a good team.”
We lose in Leicester. pic.twitter.com/r1rWQadtNT
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 3, 2024
We need to have 35 shots to win
Despite the result, West Ham played well at Leicester, registering 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. “The next match we have to try 35, maybe! But the main thing is to avoid [conceding] the first goal and improve in these kind of little details. An early goal always changes the game.
“The players have a fantastic commitment. I don’t have anything to say against my players. I assume all the responsibility and pressure. My players have to enjoy their profession, be demanding with themselves – and they are – and believe in themselves, that is the most important thing.
“We have to be able to work under this pressure, to do our best is the only thing we can do. In this kind of moment of the season, five points’ difference is not a lot – and with five points more [you’re] fighting [at] the other end [of the table].”
