West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has doubled down on his belief in his team, insisting that his players are determined to win “for me and the club,” even as the Irons grapple with a rocky patch of form following a disheartening 3-1 defeat to Leicester City on Wednesday night.
The loss at the King Power Stadium marked West Ham’s seventh defeat in 14 Premier League outings this season, a disappointing return for a side that has struggled to find consistency. Meanwhile, it was just the third victory of the season for Leicester City, who made the most of their opportunities in front of their home crowd. Jamie Vardy wasted no time in putting the Foxes ahead, netting the opener after just two minutes. Bilal El Khannouss extended the hosts’ lead in the 61st minute, while Patson Daka delivered a late dagger in the 90th minute to make it 3-0. A late consolation goal from summer signing Niclas Füllkrug in the dying moments of stoppage time did little to alleviate the frustration of the traveling fans.
Statistically, the match painted a curious picture. West Ham dominated large swathes of the game, recording an eye-watering 31 shots—10 of which were on target—compared to Leicester’s eight shots, of which six hit the target. The Hammers also controlled 61% of possession and posted an impressive xG (expected goals) of 3.09 compared to Leicester’s 1.35. Yet, despite creating a barrage of opportunities, West Ham failed to convert chances into goals, leaving Lopetegui exasperated but still optimistic about the road ahead.
Speaking after the game, the Spanish manager acknowledged the frustration but expressed confidence that his team’s persistence would eventually pay off. “The only thing I’m worried about now is tomorrow’s training session and preparing the players for the next challenge,” Lopetegui said when asked if he felt his position was under threat. “We have a lot of matches ahead of us. I am sure with this attitude, we are going to be able to achieve many more points. It’s frustrating right now, but by the end of the season, we might be having a very different conversation. There’s still so much football to be played, so many points to fight for. I believe in these players, I believe in this team, and I firmly believe that the second half of the season is going to be much better for us.”
Lopetegui, who is no stranger to pressure after stints with Sevilla and the Spanish national team, also took the opportunity to rally his players and the fans. During his post-match television interview, he emphasized the team’s desire to turn things around. “The players want to win—for themselves, for me, for the club. Football is all about winning, and today we deserved much more based on how many chances we created. I told the players that we need to keep this level of performance, and if we do, the results will come. Reflection is hard right now because the frustration is fresh. But with 31 shots on goal and countless opportunities, we showed that we’re capable. We just have to cut out those early mistakes that give the opposition a foothold in the game.”
Indeed, Lopetegui pointed to the opening moments of the match as a turning point. “The first goal was key,” he admitted. “We started poorly, and that gave Leicester belief. We have to avoid conceding early like this because it sets the tone for the rest of the game. Normally, if you create as many chances as we did, you win. Unfortunately, today was one of those days where it didn’t happen, and the players didn’t deserve this result.”
The loss leaves West Ham six points clear of the relegation zone, a precarious position for a club with ambitions of competing higher up the table. Conceding 27 goals so far this season—surpassed only by Wolves and Leicester in defensive frailty—the Hammers have shown glaring weaknesses at the back. Lopetegui now faces the dual challenge of shoring up his defense while ensuring his side maintains their offensive intensity.
Despite the setbacks, Lopetegui remains defiant. “Every match is important, but the next one is the most important,” he asserted. “We have to focus, prepare well, and give everything to win. I see the determination in the players, and I’m confident we’ll turn this around. The second half of the season is a fresh opportunity to show what we’re capable of, and I know we’ll deliver.”
With the Premier League season approaching its midway point, West Ham fans will be hoping their manager’s faith is well-placed. The Hammers’ next fixtures will provide a stern test of their resilience and Lopetegui’s ability to galvanize his squad. For now, the Spaniard is holding firmly to his belief that brighter days lie ahead.
