So Julen Lopetegui is all set to be appointed as the new West Ham United manager by the Hammers owners.
David Moyes is finished at the club, and Julen Lopetegui will allegedly replace the current West Ham boss at the London Stadium on July 1st.
Throughout the years, Lopetegui has garnered a reputation as somewhat of a pragmatist, but I actually think that’s a little unfair on him.
Guillem Balague has told us all exactly what to expect, and now one of the ex-Real Madrid manager’s closest allies has delivered his verdict on the experienced coach as well.
First, Balague told us all exactly what to expect from the 57-year-old Spaniard earlier this week:
“Two things about Lopetegui He DID NOT leave Wolves because he thought the squad was poor. It was because the goal post was moved THREE times. If at work your boss lies to you three times, do you stay? A man of principle like him has to go Secondly, he WAS NOT born as manager when he arrived to England where he had EXTRAORDINARY success at a Wolves (from bottom to 13th, 7 points from relegation). He actually was brilliant at Sevilla, Spain and Porto, and was chosen as a Real Madrid manager, no less. He is a very top exciting manager Not sure why Wolves fans are upset with him and not with the board.”
That’s quite the glowing reference from Balague.
I actually think that the fact he left Wolves because of a lack of backing in the transfer market is a really good thing.
It means that he won’t accept any broken promises from David Sullivan.
The Spaniard clearly means business, but it seems as though there is a really worry lying ahead for the Hammers in the future…
What key Julen Lopetegui ally has told West Ham owners
It seems as though the Hammers board have just received a stark warning concerning their impending appointment of the former Wolves boss.
Radio Renascença interviewed Elias Israel, the former Marca director and a close ally of Lopetegui.
And Isreal had a big warning for the Hammers owners:
“He’s a natural worker, one of those who turns the lights on and off in the training centre. He’s methodical and plays attacking football. Those who have worked with him, from players to managers, speak very highly of him and that gives you great prestige. He still has one last level to climb and will eventually reach the top five clubs in England.”
That’s quite the claim from Isreal isn’t it.
His comments suggest that Lopetegui will end up in charge of one of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham or maybe even Chelsea or Newcastle as well over the next few years.
The thing is, it’s a win-win situation for us. If any of those clubs do come in for him, then it means he would have done a fantastic job in charge of the Hammers.
However, he is only set to sign a two-year deal, so if things don’t work out, he won’t be too expensive to move on.
That said, the West Ham owners will still surely be concerned that Lopetegui may over-perform per se, and we end up losing him to a top Premier League club.
READ ALSO:
£28m West Ham flop could be given lifeline by Julen Lopetegui, he tried to sign him in 2022
The bare minimum David Sullivan expects from Julen Lopetegui in the Premier League next season
David Ornstein makes incredible Lopetegui claim that’ll have West Ham fans dancing on rooftops