Julen Lopetegui is ignoring talk around his future and is fully focused on dragging West Ham away from the lower reaches of the Premier League table.

The 14th-placed Hammers visit Newcastle on Monday night having won just one of their last four league games.

Lopetegui has come under pressure for some poor recent displays – most notably the 3-0 thrashing at Nottingham Forest and the goalless home draw with Everton – and reports have suggested he has two games to save his job.

In response, the Spaniard said: “Our life is to live under pressure, that’s why we choose this kind of work.

“The more important thing is that we are working very hard to improve. The players are very committed, and we are all not happy with the position we’re in. But there’s still time, and we have to get there step-by-step.

“We have to do more and achieve the best level for every player. We have to increase the level of all the team, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

To the Toon ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/wBRWD0V2Hy

— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 21, 2024

Accustomed to pressure

As a former Real Madrid boss it is unlikely Lopetegui will be fazed by the scrutiny he receives in the East End of London.

He added: “I don’t listen or read about what is said, I prefer to work hard. We put all of our focus on what we can control, and that’s working hard and trying to improve.

“The season ends in May, so let’s see how we’re doing then rather than in November.

“The only thing I’m focused on now is going to Newcastle on Monday, and trying to get a good result in a tough game.”

Lopetegui refused to say if he had spoken to owner David Sullivan about his position.

He said: “We talk every week. I am not going to tell you what I speak to David about.”