Julen Lopetegui plays down dressing-room bust-up with West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo and insists 'nothing important happened'

Julen Lopetegui has played down his dressing-room bust-up with West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo and insists he accepts ‘all the responsibility and pressure’ as he faces one game to save his job against Wolves.

Mail Sport revealed this week that the under-pressure Hammers boss was involved in a heated half-time exchange with Todibo at the London Stadium.

Emotions ran high in the dressing room after West Ham conceded five goals before half-time in a hefty defeat as Todibo made his frustrations clear which escalated into a row.

‘The thing that happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room,’ said Lopetegui. ‘Always. Nothing important happened.’

Lopetegui looked set to lose his job following defeat to Leicester City, that ended with the Hammers fans singing ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’.

However, the Spaniard has been handed a stay of execution after two days of talks among West Ham bosses and will take charge against Wolves on Monday night in a game that will likely define his future.

Mail Sport revealed this week that the under-pressure Hammers boss was involved in a heated half-time exchange with Todibo

‘I’m not thinking about this,’ said Lopetegui. ‘I’m thinking we have a very important challenge on Monday

‘I understand all the things around football and that’s why my main aim and responsibility is to be ready. It’s a big opportunity and challenge for us at home to be ready to achieve three points against a good team.

‘For sure we’re unhappy and the fans are always right. Until now, they’ve given us much more than we’ve given them. We have to change this.

‘The players have shown fantastic commitment until now. I’ve nothing to say against my players. I won’t talk bad about my players. I accept all the responsibility and pressure. The players have to enjoy. They have to be demanding with themselves but they are.’

While Lopetegui’s future is likely to be taken out of his hands if the result goes against him on Monday night, he insisted he would not walk away from the challenge either – as he did at former club Wolves.

‘You’re talking about different situations,’ added Lopetegui. ‘I’m very happy and proud to stay at West Ham. We’re going to change this situation. That’s why we’re working towards Monday.

‘We’re not happy. We know we need more points. We have to be more consistent. We have better results. We have to improve in these kind of situations without losing our way or understanding with attacking players.’