Julen Lopetegui has revealed West Ham’s reaction to Michail Antonio's car crash, with the ex-Hammers boss admitting "we feared he was leaving us".
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Involved in traffic accident on December 7Has undergone surgery on lower leg fractureForward admits that he is lucky to be aliveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Jamaica international forward was involved in a horror road traffic accident on December 7. His Ferrari was written off after colliding with a tree, leaving Antonio having to be cut from wreckage before being airlifted to hospital.
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The 34-year-old forward concedes that he is lucky to be alive. He has undergone surgery on a lower leg fracture and has been training again in Dubai as he looks to work his way back to full fitness. That process could take up to 12 months.
WHAT JULEN LOPETEGUI SAID
Lopetegui was West Ham manager at the time of the incident and admits that those inside the club feared the worst after learning how severe the accident had been. The Spanish coach told : "We feared he was leaving us."
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Antonio was one of several issues that ex-Real Madrid coach Lopetegui had to contend with during his short reign at the London Stadium. He also saw Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta face accusations of breaching gambling regulations, but said of the South American: "He handled it very well; we were pleased with his commitment."