Julen Lopetegui’s appointment as West Ham manager has not been the success the club’s board or fans had hoped.
Despite the most stable and successful period in the club’s Premier League history under David Moyes, the calls for change were loud in the summer. Frustrated by pragmatic tactics, those supporters who urged for a new coach might just be feeling some regret.
If truth be told, Lopetegui was a strange choice. His football is far from adventurous, while his track record of success in senior management is minimal outside of a Europa League triumph at Sevilla.
The Spaniard now faces the defining period of his reign. Having been backed with heavy investment in the summer, West Ham have struggled for results. A humbling home defeat against Liverpool leaves the Hammers 13th and some are calling for the axe.
Next up is a trip to Manchester City, the first of a run of games that could determine the under-fire Spaniard’s fate. It is a fixture that has not been kind to the East Londoners, who have failed to win their last 18 league encounters with Pep Guardiola’s side.
By February 3rd, West Ham will have faced two trips to Aston Villa in league and cup, and London derbies with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Chelsea. Unless there’s an immediate improvement in results, Lopetegui’s time at the London Stadium could meet a premature end.
Who could replace Loptegui at West Ham?
Attention has already turned to who could replace Lopetegui should the West Ham board make a decision to sack the Spaniard. Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been named as a frontrunner and has a playing philosophy that could appeal to the Hammers fanbase.
Kasper Hjulmand, searching for a club role after leaving Denmark following their Euro 2024 exit, is also in the running, alongside ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Tezic. The latter previously worked at West Ham as an assistant to Slaven Bilic and led Dortmund to the 2024 Champions League final.
Manchester City vs. West Ham United – Match details prediction, tickets, predicted lineups
When is Manchester City vs West Ham?
Manchester City host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday 4th January 2024. Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is 15:00 GMT.
Where can tickets be found?
Both clubs have released tickets via the official channels. For those who miss out or do not own respective memberships, re-seller sites offer an alternative route to Manchester City tickets and tickets for West Ham
Predicted lineups
Manchester City: Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Foden, Silva, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland,
West Ham: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug.
Prediction
West Ham were woeful against Liverpool last time out, conceding five times at the London Stadium in a humiliating home defeat. The summer signings have failed to work out as hoped, while a poor record in this fixture does not bode well.
Manchester City have not been the force of old this season but have the strength to make light work of an inconsistent West Ham side. Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in his previous five appearances against the Hammers.
Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
