West Ham board split six ways over Lopetegui replacement; Sullivan chooses sides
There has been a major development regarding the board split over a potential replacement for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham.
The Hammers met this week to decide Julen Lopetegui’s fate after the 3-1 defeat at Leicester.
West Ham are 14th in the Premier League with just four wins in 14 games under the Spaniard.
But the Irons will be only three points off the relegation zone if Ipswich beat Bournemouth or they lose to Wolves on Monday.
Lopetegui has been given a stay of execution for West Ham’s game against his old club.
Much to the anger of the club’s fans, who called for the 58-year-old to be sacked at Leicester.
West Ham felt ‘morally obligated’ to give Lopetegui another game.
But it has been claimed by a host of reputable sources since that the club’s hierarchy are simply buying time while they line up a replacement.
Lopetegui must win every game up to Liverpool on December 29th.
A plethora of managers – now well in excess of a dozen in the last week alone – have been linked with West Ham.
West Ham board split six ways over Lopetegui replacement
Debate has raged among fans over who would be the best candidate for the job.
Supporters are pretty divided over who they want.
And they’re not the only ones it seems.
Hammers News understands six different figures in the West Ham hierarchy want six different managers.
Now it seems Sullivan may side with Mark Noble over the manager pick amid the West Ham board split.
A journalist source close to the situation has told Hammers News the different camps have been championing contrasting managers.
Technical director Tim Steidten is said to want compatriots Edin Terzic or Roger Schmidt.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady is pushing hard for Graham Potter – who is very close friends with her husband Paul Peschisolido.
Two unnamed agents described as “influential” figures in West Ham’s decision-making want Christophe Galtier and Max Allegri.
Meanwhile sporting director Noble, whose role now focuses primarily on West Ham’s Academy, wants Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.
Sullivan to side with Noble over new West Ham boss pick
Last week Hammers News exclusively revealed Carrick is one of two English managers who want the West Ham job and have made it clear to the club they’d take it.
The former Hammers academy graduate has ‘Boro in the promotion mix in the Championship.
The preference of Sullivan and the club’s second biggest stakeholder Daniel Kretinsky is not clear.
But the duo spoke over zoom before agreeing to give Lopetegui another game while deliberations continue in the background.
Now it seems there may be the first signs of a breakthrough.
According to Mirror journalist Chris McKenna, it seems Sullivan – who will make the ultimate call as majority owner – is siding with Noble’s pick.
Hammers want better connection between team and fans
Because it’s claimed Carrick is emerging as the leading contender.
McKenna claims the Hammers will consider swooping for Carrick as first choice should the axe fall on Lopetegui.
It’s states that ‘Boro would – obviously – not want to lose their manager in the middle of a promotion push.
But West Ham are “eager” to bring in Carrick and task him with implementing an attractive style of football and – as a former player – forge a better link between the team and fans.
Interestingly Carrick was one of four in-contract managers that Sullivan ally Sean Whetstone offered up to fans in a vote yesterday.
Alongside Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Thomas Frank, it was Carrick who came out on top with over 40 per cent of the vote.
