Julen Lopetegui, West Ham’s manager, reportedly had a heated confrontation with defender Jean-Clair Todibo as pressure mounts on his position. West Ham suffered their seventh defeat in 14 Premier League matches after a 3-1 loss to Leicester City on Tuesday. This match marked Ruud van Nistelrooy’s debut as Leicester manager.
As the game neared its conclusion, West Ham’s traveling fans at the King Power Stadium directed chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Lopetegui. The result leaves West Ham six points above the relegation zone, though this margin could narrow depending on upcoming Premier League fixtures.
According to reports, West Ham’s management has begun to consider potential replacements for Lopetegui amid the team’s ongoing struggles. Adding to the turmoil, Lopetegui reportedly had a heated argument with Todibo, a £35 million signing, during halftime of West Ham’s 5-2 defeat to Arsenal the previous weekend.
Despite the criticism, Lopetegui defended his team after the Leicester loss, asserting that West Ham had done enough to win. He highlighted the team’s 31 shots and frequent presence in Leicester’s penalty area but lamented their failure to convert chances into goals. Lopetegui acknowledged that conceding an early goal was detrimental and emphasized the team’s need to prevent such setbacks.
Reflecting on the second half, the manager admitted his side lost composure after Leicester scored their second goal, allowing the opponents to capitalize on the gaps in defense. Although Lopetegui believed West Ham could still change the outcome even after the second goal, the team ultimately conceded a third, sealing their defeat.
Lopetegui stressed the importance of maintaining the level of play and attitude the team demonstrated for most of the game. He expressed confidence that by continuing to create opportunities and controlling matches in the opponent’s half, West Ham could turn their season around. However, he admitted that the current situation is frustrating and challenging for players, staff, and fans alike.