West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui says he’s not listening to external noise amid reports he has two games to save his job.
The Spaniard succeeded Conference League winner David Moyes over the summer and was backed heavily by the club in the transfer market. But the Hammers have got off to a slow start, winning just three of their first 11 Premier League games, and sit just five points above the relegation zone.
Heavy defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest have cranked up the pressure on Lopetegui, who also saw his side crash out of the Carabao Cup 5-1 at the hands of Liverpool.
A report fromThe Guardian on Wednesday suggested Lopetegui has two games to prove to David Sullivan, West Ham’s largest shareholder, that he remains the right person to be in charge, with discontent growing among the club’s supporters.
But speaking to the media ahead of Monday’s trip to Newcastle United, Lopetegui said pressure is part of being a manager and that his full focus is on helping West Ham up their performance level, not the speculation over his future.
“Our life is to live under pressure, that’s why we choose this kind of work,” the Spaniard said. “The more important thing is that we are working very hard to improve. The players are very committed, and we are all not happy with the position we’re in. But there’s still time, and we have to get there step-by-step.
“We have to do more and achieve the best level for every player. We have to increase the level of all the team, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Pressed on the speculation over his future, he continued: “I don’t listen or read about what is said, I prefer to work hard. We put all of our focus on what we can control, and that’s working hard and trying to improve.
“The season ends in May, so let’s see how we’re doing then rather than in November.
“The only thing I’m focused on now is going to Newcastle on Monday, and trying to get a good result in a tough game.”
A huge game against Arsenal follows the trip to St James’ Park, before West Ham embark on a busy December that will see them play a further six times before 2024 draws to a close.
The significance of picking up points over the festive period was not lost on former Wolves boss Lopetegui, who called on his players to show their character in a bid to turn things around.
“It’s a busy, and key, month, because we’ve got a lot of important matches,” he said. “We have to be ready, and to have different players available. We will have more possibility to be more competitive as players come back, and now it’s time to show what we’re made of.
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