Soccer-Under pressure Lopetegui promises West Ham turnaround


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City v West Ham United - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - December 3, 2024 West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo

(Reuters) - Manager Julen Lopetegui said on Friday he was committed to turning things around for a struggling West Ham United, as media reports said the club's board of directors had met to decide his future.

The board decided to keep faith in Lopetegui until Monday's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the BBC reported on Thursday, after 14th-placed West Ham went down 3-1 at Leicester City earlier in the week.

"I have big commitment to my work, always, and I am very happy to stay at West Ham. We are going to change the situation," said Lopetegui, who took over in May.

"I understand all the things around football and I understand my main aim and responsibility is to be ready for a tough, hard match.

"But in the same way, it's a big opportunity and challenge for us at home, to be ready to achieve the three points. That is the most important thing."

Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui faced chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" from West Ham fans after they suffered their seventh loss in 14 league games at Leicester, placing them six points above the relegation zone.

"I accept the responsibility and the pressure. That's why I am a coach," Lopetegui said.

"For sure, we're not happy and, for sure, the fans are always right... they give us much more than we give them.

"We have to change this, and we are looking for this."

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry)

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