Julen Lopetegui is brushing off rumors that his job at West Ham hangs in the balance over the next two games.

Despite recent struggles, he’s staying focused on the challenges ahead, particularly a tough match against Newcastle.

With the club’s current form leaving them only five points above the relegation zone, the pressure on the Spaniard is undeniable.

West Ham’s record of three wins from 11 games has sparked increasing speculation about his future.

Lopetegui Dismisses “Two-Game” Talk

In response to claims that his fate would be decided by performances against Newcastle and Arsenal, Lopetegui was quick to dismiss the idea.

“The only thing I’m focused on is preparing for Newcastle,” he said with a laugh. “It’s football, it’s up to you, the press… I’m not focused on this.”

While acknowledging the team’s disappointing position, he emphasized that there’s still plenty of time to turn things around.

“We are not happy with where we are, but we have a lot of time to change this. It’s about taking things step by step and correcting what needs to be improved,” he explained.

Club Leadership Considering Alternatives

Despite Lopetegui’s calm demeanor, recent reports suggest that West Ham’s management may already be exploring options for his replacement, including former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic.

Speculation intensifies as Monday’s match at St James’ Park becomes a pivotal moment for the coach’s tenure.

“Living under pressure is part of this job,” Lopetegui reflected. “That’s why we choose this world. The most important thing is that we are working hard to improve, and the players are committed to this.”

He remains focused on the task at hand and insists that external chatter is outside his control.

“We have done some good things, but we need to do more. We are focusing on the things we can control and working hard to become a better team. The season is long, and the real test will be in a couple of months.”

Injury and Suspension Updates

Ahead of the crucial fixture against Newcastle, Lopetegui confirmed that striker Niclas Füllkrug would remain sidelined due to an Achilles injury.

The £27 million summer signing is progressing but won’t be ready for Monday’s match.

In addition, Edson Álvarez and Mohammed Kudus are still suspended. Lopetegui hopes that two other players with minor knocks will be fit for the trip to St James’ Park.

“Nicolas is improving, but he’s not ready for Newcastle,” Lopetegui said.

“We have a little problem with two players, but I’m hopeful they’ll be fit for Monday. It’s a busy month with many important matches, and we need to be competitive.”

Looking Ahead

West Ham’s squad is expected to improve over the next few weeks, with suspensions ending for key players after the Newcastle match.

Lopetegui is optimistic that the return of Füllkrug and others will help the team become more competitive and produce better results moving forward.

“We’re working hard, and after these next two matches, we hope to have more players available,” Lopetegui concluded.

“That will give us a better chance to compete and improve our performance in the upcoming challenges.”

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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