Julen Lopetegui’s future at West Ham is under increasing scrutiny after a series of confrontations with players and disappointing results on the pitch. One of the most recent incidents occurred during the Hammers’ 5-2 loss to Arsenal last Saturday, where tensions flared between Lopetegui and defender Jean-Clair Todibo. The row unfolded at halftime, with Todibo, who had joined the club on loan from Nice for a £35 million option to buy, voicing his frustrations over the team’s performance. Despite the heated exchange, the 24-year-old continued to play the remainder of the match, as West Ham had no other senior central defenders available on the bench.
The defeat to Arsenal was another blow for West Ham, who had already suffered a 3-1 loss to Leicester just days earlier, in which Todibo was absent due to a groin injury. This is not the first time Lopetegui has clashed with a player; in September, he had a public fallout with Mohammed Kudus after substituting the Ghanaian at halftime during a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
West Ham’s poor start to the season has left the club hovering just above the relegation zone, sitting 14th in the Premier League with a negative goal difference of -9. With the team struggling to find consistency, talks are reportedly underway about Lopetegui’s future. The club’s board, led by sporting director Tim Steidten, is expected to meet this week to discuss the manager’s position, with Steidten having previously expressed doubts about Lopetegui’s appointment.
Several names are being linked as potential replacements, including ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic, former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand, ex-Porto coach Sergio Conceicao, and former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter.
Despite the mounting pressure, Lopetegui remained optimistic after the Leicester defeat, acknowledging the team’s frustration while insisting they deserved more from the match. “We had 31 shots in the opposition box, normally that should be enough to win,” he said. “We had plenty of chances but couldn’t convert them.” He urged his players to stay focused and continue working towards turning the situation around: “The next challenge is the most important, and we know we can change the situation.”
