Monday, May 6

Lopetegui coming in

The Times is reporting that West Ham have agreed personal terms with Julen Lopetegui. Some certainty is welcome after the debacle at Chelsea yesterday and the players will have to perform to impress the new boss. He's won the Europa League with Sevilla and managed Spain and Real Madrid, so comes with quite a track record, as well as having guided Wolves to safety last season, even if they struggled to score goals and he left in a huff over a reduced transfer budget.

It's sad and rather ironic that David Moyes is being let go because his team can't defend, even though he's never won some fans over because of his defensive approach. I didn't have a problem with counter-attacking football if it was done well, but without a solid defence since Christmas the team has served up great entertainment in lots of games, as the anti-Moyes fans demanded, but mostly through high-scoring draws and a few thumping defeats. 

But overall we should thank Moyes for his record at West Ham. What's David Moyes ever done for West Ham apart from saving us from relegation twice, finishing sixth and seventh, reaching Europa League semi-finals and quarter-finals, winning the Europa Conference League and achieving a probable top half finish this season? He's let things drift with a too small squad and tired players since Christmas, but Moyes has also been let down by the players at times. I'll be giving him a farewell cheer on Saturday. Now let's see what Lopetegui can do.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like Lopetegui then!
I'm not sure at this stage, he's had success and failure, so unclear what he brings to West Ham.
A lot will depend on Tim Steidten and his ability to bring in the players Loopy wants, Tim will have to do better than his January efforts though.
West Hams small and ageing squad needs an overhaul, with a number of players out of contract etc.

Pedro Santa Cruz said...
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Pete May said...

A lot of rebuilding to do. Lopetegui has won the Europa League with Sevilla so a decent track record. Mind you Pellegrini had won the title with Man City. Wonder if this means a new start for loanees Downes, Benrahma and Kehrer?

Anonymous said...
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Matt said...

Is this our second former Real Madrid manager, after Big Sam?

Pete May said...

I think Big Sam managed Real Ale Madrid.