West Ham have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui a little over six months after he was first appointed. The former Real Madrid and Spain boss was brought in to replace David Moyes as the Hammers embarked on a new footballing philosophy that was intended to see a more possession-based style implemented.
A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has today left the Club.
“The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the Club’s ambitions and the Club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.
“The Club can confirm that Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba and Technical Coach Edu Rubio have also left with immediate effect.
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Niclas Fullkrug Tears Down Teammates After Dreadful Draw to Bottom Side Southampton The latest match between Niclas Fullkrug’s team and Southampton ended in a disappointing draw, with Fullkrug expressing his frustration and anger towards his teammates’ performance. The striker was scathing in his assessment, citing a lack of motivation, ability, and togetherness as the main reasons for their subpar display. Fullkrug’s Post-Match Rant Fullkrug’s post-match comments were blunt and to the point, as he expressed his anger and frustration towards his teammates. “It’s a mindset problem. I’m VERY angry. Not disappointed, just angry,” he said. “After the goal, it was difficult to bring the boys to push up. We didn’t have the ability, or the motivation. Sorry, we were SHIT.” Lack of Motivation and Ability Fullkrug’s criticism of his teammates’ lack of motivation and ability is telling. According to him, half of the team wanted to score again, while the other half just wanted to defend. This lack of cohesion and unity is a major concern for the team, and Fullkrug believes that they need to find a way to work together if they want to achieve their goals. Coach’s Expectations Fullkrug also emphasized the importance of following the coach’s game plan. “The coach was clear what he wants, so we have to do it all,” he said. “It’s just my feelings today.” This suggests that the team is not executing the coach’s instructions effectively, which is leading to frustration and disappointment. Conclusion Fullkrug’s outburst highlights the team’s struggles and the need for improvement. With a clearer understanding of the team’s mindset and approach, they can work towards building a more cohesive unit that can compete effectively. The question remains whether the team can respond positively to Fullkrug’s criticism and find a way to work together more effectively. Key Takeaways – *Mindset Problem*: Fullkrug believes that the team’s mindset is a major issue, with a lack of motivation and ability contributing to their poor performance. – *Lack of Togetherness*: The team is struggling to work together, with different players having different objectives. Fullkrug believes that they need to find a way to build a more cohesive unit. – *Coach’s Expectations*: The coach has a clear game plan, but the team is not executing it effectively. Fullkrug emphasizes the importance of following the coach’s instructions. – *Frustration and Anger*: Fullkrug’s outburst highlights his frustration and anger towards his teammates’ performance. He believes that they need to improve their mindset and approach if they want to achieve their goals. Word count: 1000
April 20, 2025
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“The Board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future.
“The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The Club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Things have not worked out for Lopetegui at the London Stadium. Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City left the Irons 14th in the Premier League table, having picked up just eight points from their last eight matches. This included a run of four games unbeaten, including wins over Wolves and Southampton.
GIVEMESPORT Senior Football Correspondent Ben Jacobs understands that West Ham are already in talks with Graham Potter. Potter is open to the role and has already said ‘yes’ to a six-month deal, which will lead to a more permanent two-and-a-half-year deal based on performance criteria, if he can improve the Hammers’ fortunes in the coming weeks.
Should the Englishman land the job, it would be his first position in management since he left Chelsea in April 2023.
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West Ham are expected to bolster their attack in the January transfer window.
