West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is fighting for his job ahead of a potentially huge match against Everton on Saturday.
A terrible start to the season has left the Spaniard’s job hanging by a thread with West Ham chiefs alarmed at how poor they have been.
Lopetegui only joined in the summer after replacing David Moyes and was bolstered with a big summer spending spree.
Among the big-name arrivals include Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug with close to £150million spent.
Julen Lopetegui is under huge pressure going into West Ham’s match against Everton on Saturday
Reuters
But it has not quite worked for West Ham this season with the club just six points above the relegation zone.
Club chiefs expected the Hammers to be competing for European places this season, having established themselves in recent years as perennial challengers.
However, alarm bells have been ringing over how leaky the defence has been, having shipped three goals to Nottingham Forest, four goals to Tottenham and five to Liverpool in recent weeks.
There had been huge excitement within the West Ham boardroom after landing Lopetegui, expecting a similar rise as Aston Villa after their appointment of Unai Emery.
Instead, they have been shocked by how little progress Lopetegui has made over implementing his tactics with just three wins in the Premier League this season.
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In what is now a crunch game against fellow strugglers Everton on Saturday, there are indications that Lopetegui could lose his job if they taste defeat again.
Not everyone in the West Ham board has lost faith in the Spaniard, though, pointing to wins over Ipswich Town and Manchester United as signs there are improvements.
But with an array of potential managers already being sounded out including Roger Schmidt, Sebastian Hoeness and Graham Potter, Lopetegui is walking a tight rope.
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There have been reports that former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic would jump at the chance to take over at the London Stadium.
The Bosnian coach led Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, ultimately losing to Real Madrid.
There is even the suggestion that Jose Mourinho could join, having made it clear he is fed up with life at Fenerbahce recently.
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West Ham have been in poor form this season
Reuters
Considering it would cost West Ham around £6m to terminate Lopetegui’s contract, signing Terzic as a replacement might appeal as a free agent.
The former Wolves boss is not the only one facing scrutiny within the club with technical director Tim Steidten also under the microscope.
The German led West Ham’s transfer business over the summer, the biggest transfer spend the club have conducted over one window, and there has yet to be any success found.