Julen Lopetegui’s tenure as West Ham United head coach is increasingly under threat, with growing speculation that he will not last beyond their upcoming FA Cup clash against Aston Villa on Friday, January 12. This comes amid a series of disappointing results for the club under the Spanish tactician, who has struggled to improve the team’s performance following their struggles last season. Richard Keys, the beIN Sports host, has been vocal in his criticism of Lopetegui, stating in his personal blog on January 6 that the Hammers are once again an “ordinary bottom-half team,” failing to make the expected progress under the former Sevilla manager.

Keys, who has long been critical of the club’s leadership, took a particularly harsh tone in his assessment of West Ham’s recent descent. He blamed the club’s management, particularly Karren Brady, for “undoing David Moyes’ good work” at the London Stadium. Moyes, who had steered the club to impressive finishes and European football, was dismissed at the end of last season after failing to replicate that success in the final months of the 2023-24 campaign. Many West Ham fans were disappointed by the decision, and Keys is among those who believe the board’s actions have led to the current instability.

In his blog, Keys suggested that the odds of Lopetegui’s departure are “pretty good” following the FA Cup tie with Villa, adding that the team’s lack of progress under his stewardship has placed immense pressure on the manager. His comments reflect a sense of frustration with the club’s current direction, particularly in light of the high expectations set for Lopetegui when he took charge. While the team had shown promise at the beginning of the season, recent performances have not been convincing, leading to concerns about whether Lopetegui is the right man to lead the club forward.

Meanwhile, reports from The Times on January 6 indicate that West Ham’s board has already made the decision to part ways with Lopetegui, though an official announcement has yet to be made. The delay in making the move official is reportedly linked to discussions over a potential replacement, with former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter being offered the role until the end of the season. According to these reports, the club is waiting for Potter to make a decision about accepting the offer, which would likely prompt the dismissal of Lopetegui.

Karren Brady, West Ham’s vice-chairman, is reportedly one of the key figures pushing for a managerial change. There is a growing belief that the decision to hire Lopetegui, which was met with optimism at the time, has backfired. While Lopetegui’s pedigree at Sevilla, including winning the Europa League, was seen as a strong selling point, his failure to inspire West Ham has raised doubts about his ability to turn the club’s fortunes around. Brady and other members of the board are reportedly keen to act quickly in replacing him in order to avoid further deterioration of the team’s performance.

The push to bring in Potter, who was sacked by Chelsea in April 2024 after a string of poor results, signals a shift in West Ham’s approach. Potter, known for his attractive, possession-based football, is seen as a manager who could rejuvenate a West Ham squad that has struggled with consistency under Lopetegui. However, the decision to pursue Potter also highlights the instability within the club’s leadership, with Brady and others perhaps realizing that their decision to part ways with Moyes and bring in Lopetegui may have been a mistake. The club’s hierarchy is likely eager to reverse the course as quickly as possible, particularly given the high expectations of their supporters.

Richard Keys’ ongoing criticism of West Ham’s leadership is also a point of contention. He has repeatedly expressed his disappointment with the board’s decision-making, particularly in relation to Moyes’ dismissal. In his previous blog post from January 31, 2024, Keys blasted the club’s handling of the situation, calling it a “misstep” and criticizing the leadership’s lack of foresight. His recent comments show that the frustrations with West Ham’s leadership are far from resolved, and the pressure is mounting on Karren Brady and the rest of the board to make a decisive move.

West Ham’s current predicament reflects the challenges of balancing long-term vision with immediate success. While the club has made some investments in the squad, the team’s inconsistent form suggests that the tactical approach under Lopetegui may not be the right fit for the players at his disposal. It remains to be seen whether the decision to part ways with Lopetegui will prove to be the right one, but if the club does choose to make a managerial change, they will have to move quickly to stabilize the team and avoid further decline. The club’s supporters, who have already endured the disappointment of Moyes’ departure and the uncertainty surrounding Lopetegui’s future, will be hoping that any potential change in leadership will lead to a brighter future.