Ex-Chelsea, Man Utd & Liverpool men among those tipped to succeed under-pressure Julen Lopetegui at West Ham

Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui finds himself increasingly under pressure at West Ham United after what has been a poor start to the season for a Hammers team that were tipped to be vastly improved this year.

Lopetegui joined in the summer replacing David Moyes who has been linked to taking over if Oliver Glasner was to be sacked by Crystal Palace. However, it has not been a good start to life in London for the Spaniard as his side sits 14th in the Premier League and come off the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Everton.

Speculation has emerged over the future of the West Ham boss with Football Insider reporting that former West Ham scout Mick Brown says that Lopetegui’s job at the London Stadium is “no longer stable” with the board’s confidence in the 58-year-old fading amid recent performances.

West Ham are winless in three of their last four games and have conceded three or more goals in two of their last four. Amid reports that Lopetegui’s job is under threat, several managers could come into contention to take over from the Spaniard should he face the sack with one name being former Chelsea and Everton manager Frank Lampard.

Lampard is the favourite according to SportsCasting as he has obvious links to the club after he spent the first six years of his professional career with West Ham after he had come through the academy. Lampard made 148 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 24 goals along the way.

He has recently been linked to the vacant Coventry City job in the Championship however and seeing as his recent Premier League management track record holds nothing to boast about, the Hammers may look to other options should they decide to part ways with Lopetegui.

Four more possible candidates for the West Ham job

Following a short, but successful spell as Manchester United interim boss, Ruud Van Nistelrooy jumps out as a possible candidate who could provide West Ham with a new, youthful manager who is looking to prove himself on the Premier League stage.

The ex-Red Devil has managed Eredivisie side PSV previously and won almost 65% of his games over a one year spell. He also led the Dutch side to a Johan Cruyff Shield and a KNVB Cup title in 2023 before he decided to leave over a lack of support from the club.

Ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival at United, Van Nistelrooy took charge for four matches, winning three and drawing one and helping contribute to an upturn in momentum and mood at Old Trafford following the sacking of Erik Ten Hag.

Ex-Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter could also be a candidate for West Ham seeing as he is currently without a job but was linked to the England manager role which was eventually taken by Thomas Tuchel.

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick could also be in line for the opportunity as he looks to improve his managerial resume and make the step up to Premier League football. The former Man United midfielder has impressed at Boro and so far this season, has his side seventh in the Championship and just one point off the playoffs.

Finally, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is also among the favourites to take over from Lopetegui at West Ham which would be his first role in the Premier League since he left Leicester City in 2023 after just under four years at the club. His record at Celtic speaks for itself as he has won three Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.