After a disappointing 0-0 draw against Everton, calls for West Ham to sack manager Julen Lopetegui are growing louder. His tenure at the club has not been the fresh start many hoped for, and now, after 13 competitive matches, the Spanish coach finds himself under increasing pressure. Remarkably, West Ham fans have left six of these matches early, an unusual sight for the club. Their frustrations with the style of play and results are clear, as a squad that was expected to thrive has instead faltered, leaving many questioning the direction the team is heading under Lopetegui’s leadership.
Despite a surprise win over Manchester United, the mood around the club has soured, especially after three heavy defeats. Going into the game against Everton, the pressure on Lopetegui was palpable. Sources close to the club suggested that only a convincing win could save him, with the draw further damaging his position. The Hammers were outplayed by Everton, one of the least impressive teams in the Premier League, which only intensified criticism of the manager’s performance.
As is often the case in football, speculation surrounding a potential managerial change has heated up. Reports have linked West Ham with multiple potential replacements in recent days. These include names such as Graham Potter, Edin Terzic, Roger Schmidt, Sebastian Hoeness, Sergio Conceição, and Kasper Hjulmand. However, in a twist that may surprise many, one familiar name has reappeared on the list of potential candidates: Rafa Benitez.
Benitez, who was last seen managing Celta Vigo, is back in the frame for the West Ham job. Despite being sacked by Celta Vigo earlier this year, the 64-year-old former Liverpool and Chelsea manager remains a highly regarded figure in European football. His name has resurfaced due to his longstanding relationship with West Ham’s majority shareholder, David Sullivan. Sullivan is known to have been a huge fan of Benitez and, in fact, was on the verge of appointing him as West Ham manager back in 2015.
That year, West Ham were searching for a new manager to take over at the Boleyn Ground following Sam Allardyce’s departure. Sullivan revealed in a 2015 interview that Benitez had agreed to take the job and had signed a contract, only for Real Madrid to make a late call. Benitez, a lifelong Madrid fan, decided to join the Spanish giants instead, leaving West Ham to appoint Slaven Bilic. Sullivan has since expressed regret over losing out on Benitez, praising the Spaniard as a “top manager” and suggesting he could have done a wonderful job at West Ham.
However, not all West Ham supporters share this sentiment. The idea of bringing Benitez back to the club may be met with skepticism by some fans, many of whom would rather stick with Lopetegui than see another former Madrid manager take the reins. Benitez’s tenure at several clubs, including Real Madrid and Inter Milan, was often marked by mixed results, and some supporters might view his return as a step backwards, given his age and recent struggles at Celta Vigo.
The situation at West Ham remains fluid, and while Lopetegui’s future is uncertain, the club’s decision-makers are clearly exploring multiple options. In addition to Benitez, Potter and Terzic are seen as serious candidates, with reports suggesting that discussions could begin soon if the club’s performances continue to fall short. The next few weeks could be crucial for West Ham, as they weigh their options and decide whether to make a change or stick with Lopetegui in the hope that he can turn things around.
In summary, West Ham’s managerial search has once again brought Rafa Benitez into the spotlight, and the decision of whether to bring him back to the club could have a significant impact on the team’s future. While some fans may embrace the idea, others will view it as a risky move that could potentially prolong the club’s struggles. Whatever happens, the club’s next few matches will likely be pivotal in determining the direction they take moving forward.
