West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui and Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Ange Postecoglou are both on the brink as calls grow for their sacking.
West Ham put in yet another abysmal performance under Julen Lopetegui at home to Liverpool.
Meanwhile Tottenham were held at home by Wolves.
Both the Hammers and Spurs were booed off as the heat rises exponentially on Lopetegui and Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham’s Australian boss – who was once wanted at West Ham by vice-chair Karren Brady – has faced calls for his sacking since the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.
After shambolic defeats to Arsenal and Leicester, West Ham fans have been calling for Lopetegui be sacked.
The hardcore away support of both clubs have also notably turned on the two managers.
West Ham and Spurs face calls to axe managers
West Ham’s owners called an emergency meeting after the Leicester defeat where replacements were discussed.
The Hammers only want someone who is willing to take over on an initial deal until the end of the season.
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As talks continued with potential candidates, the Hammers gave Lopetegui one last chance against Wolves.
The Hammers somehow won that game and were extremely fortunate to go four unbeaten before the humbling to Liverpool.
In the meantime Graham Potter agreed to step in at West Ham until the end of the season if the Spaniard is shown the door.
While Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton failed to make West Ham pay for surrendering some ridiculous chances, Liverpool were nowhere near as generous.
Spurs pile pressure on West Ham to activate Potter deal
Potter, who is close friends with the husband of West Ham vice-chair Brady, has since reportedly turned down two job offers from elsewhere.
West Ham were warned Potter won’t wait forever after the unconvincing Brighton draw.
Now Spurs pile the pressure on West Ham to activate their Potter deal with their managers on the brink.
West Ham fans were left totally bewildered by Lopetegui’s team selection for the clash with Liverpool.
Even Reds boss Arne Slot – once a target of both the Hammers and Spurs – admitted his surprise at the way the Spaniard set up.
It was a complete surrender and so it proved with Liverpool running riot and winning 5-0 in a game where it could have been double figures.
Meanwhile Tottenham were jeered as they were made to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to lowly Wolves.
Owners of both clubs are facing renewed calls from fans to sack their managers.
Football 365 claimed ahead of Tottenham’s game with Wolves that Potter is now the number one target for Daniel Levy if he pulls the trigger on Postecoglou.
Hammers majority owner David Sullivan has been more than fair with Lopetegui.
But just six wins from 19 Premier League games is not what was expected after a £155m summer spend.
After six months at the London Stadium helm, there is now sign of any identity, progress or plan at West Ham.
Sullivan holds cards in game of Potter poker with Levy
While Spurs do have a clear identity, Postecoglou’s tactics are seen as naive in the extreme, bordering on arrogance.
Now Sullivan and co face a huge decision.
West Ham know they were lucky to come away with more than a point or two from games against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton.
Many feel they got the hiding that has been coming when Liverpool punished Lopetegui’s tactics.
Now West Ham must decide whether they continue to tread water with the 58-year-old and risk losing Potter to Spurs.
The London Stadium was all but empty by the final whistle – for the ninth time in 19 games this season.
It could be like that from kick-off with the Hammers now facing up to a wasted season playing for nothing more than midtable medicority.
At least by beating Tottenham to Spurs, the former Chelsea boss would have half a season to show whether he is the man who can make a difference.
If Tottenham come calling they will likely be offering a longer term deal which would understandably prove more attractive to a manager like Potter, who has been out of work since April last year.
It’s a huge call and Sullivan holds the cards in this managerial poker game right now.
But Levy may be about to play his hand.