Deeney: West Ham Players Still Back Lopetegui Despite Struggles

Troy Deeney has shared that West Ham United’s squad remains “fully on board” with head coach Julen Lopetegui, according to insights from technical coach Edu Rubio. Speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday (22 November), Deeney revealed that Rubio, a key member of the Hammers’ backroom staff, doesn’t believe the manager has lost the dressing room, despite mounting pressure.

“If they’d have lost the dressing room, that’s where there would have been concern,” said Deeney. “The players are fully on board with them. For them, they feel like they’ve got the players on their side, and obviously, that’s why they’re going to continue to work. We’ll have to see how the future holds out.”

West Ham currently sits 14th in the Premier League table, far below their preseason ambitions, with performances sparking questions about Lopetegui’s long-term future at the London Stadium. The underwhelming start to the season has left fans frustrated and pundits debating how long the Spaniard can hold onto his job.

However, Rubio’s assertion that the players remain committed could be a critical lifeline for Lopetegui as he works to turn the team’s fortunes around. With over half the season remaining, there is still time for West Ham to salvage their campaign. A strong run could even revive hopes of securing a European spot, but consistent improvement is needed to satisfy supporters.