Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham future in doubt as technical director stays away

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui’s position looks under serious threat while technical director Tim Steidten is staying away from the training ground as the club’s problems deepen.

There are reports that former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been lined up to replace Spaniard Lopetegui until the end of the season. West Ham have declined to comment.

The Hammers did say that Steidten, 45, is absent from their Rush Green HQ as he is focusing on the January transfer window which opened last week.

But the situation has echoes of last season, when the German’s relationship with then boss David Moyes became strained towards the end of his tenure.

Lopetegui’s position as Hammers head coach was plunged back into doubt following consecutive heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City, while Steidten is a known admirer of Potter.

But Steidten is also under the spotlight having led the club’s summer recruitment drive, which has so far proved a major disappointment.

West Ham spent around £130million on nine new players, but are languishing in 14th in the Premier League.

The £27million signing of 31-year-old Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund has reaped just two goals while two new centre-halves, Nice loanee Jean-Clair Todibo and £40million Maximilian Kilman, have failed to stem the flow of goals against.

The Hammers face a tough FA Cup third-round trip to Aston Villa on Friday before home league matches with Fulham and Crystal Palace.