The Daily Star Ireland
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has called on his team to embrace the pressure as he strives to secure his position. The Spaniard’s role as head coach is under significant scrutiny after a disappointing first six months in charge.
Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester in the Premier League intensified the pressure on Lopetegui, leaving the team with just 15 points from 14 games, following a 5-2 loss at home to Arsenal the previous weekend.
Lopetegui, who succeeded David Moyes in the summer, refused to blame his players for the current situation and remains optimistic about turning the season around before Monday’s match against his former club Wolves.
He stated, “The players must be demanding and ready to face this challenge, despite the difficult times, to learn to thrive under pressure. This pressure falls on me, and I accept it because I am the coach.”
Lopetegui is working to win over a dissatisfied fanbase after suffering seven defeats in his first 14 league games. Despite this, West Ham’s board continues to support him, even after the defeat to Leicester prompted discussions about his future.
The 58-year-old, who has previously managed Spain, Real Madrid, and Sevilla, is determined to stick to his principles as he tries to improve the Hammers’ performance.
He explained, “There is no guaranteed way to secure your job. You must work according to your understanding, analysis, and methods. We are aware of our players’ strengths and weaknesses, and we must always address these issues. We have done this before, and we will continue to do so, always looking for areas to improve.”
