West Ham make Julen Lopetegui decision ahead of El Sackico against Wolves with Graham Potter an option for both clubs

JULEN LOPETEGUI has been given a stay of execution at West Ham.

But the Spaniard will almost certainly face the sack if they are beaten by his former club Wolves at home on Monday.

Reuters

Julen Lopetegui is facing the axe if West Ham lose to Wolves[/caption]

Rex

Gary O’Neil is also fighting to save his job[/caption]

The Hammers’ woeful defeat at Leicester on Tuesday night has pushed Lopetegui to the brink of the axe, with a number of senior figures keen for a change to be made.

However, club chiefs have given him a temporary reprieve after two days of crunch talks.

Bosses acknowledged that results are far from good enough and that the defensive record must improve quickly.

There have also been concerns over instructions given to the squad, while the ex-Real Madrid manager’s heated clashes with Mohammed Kudus and Jean-Clair Todibo during games have not helped.

Lopetegui faces Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who is also fighting to save his job after losing 4-0 at Everton on Wednesday.

West Ham are 14th are winning just four of their 14 Premier League games under Lopetegui this season.

The Hammers have gone backwards since David Moyes was replaced in the summer and almost £130million was spent on new players.

Frustrated fans turned on Lopetegui at Leicester, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at the former Wolves manager.

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Graham Potter, Edin Terzic and Max Allegri are among the free agent bosses who have been under consideration with Lopetegui’s position uncertain.

Ex-Porto boss Sergio Conceicao was an option but would be unlikely to get the job.

Potter, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April last year, said he is “open to everything” when it comes to a new role.

West Ham replaced Moyes, who won the Europa Conference League during his second spell in charge, with a view to improving the style of play.

But the Hammers remain woeful in defence and there has been little sign of a new style being implemented.