Julen Lopetegui tipped to ditch West Ham United already, Michael Carrick ideal hire
Frank McAvennie has told West Ham United that they should have hired Michael Carrick instead of Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ successor.
Former Wolves, Spain and Sevilla boss Lopetegui is expected to take the reins at West Ham once Moyes’ tenure ends following the final game of the season at Manchester City on 19 May.
But McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – is not inspired by the appointment of the Spaniard, who he feels could “jump ship” if a bigger offer comes along.
“There were big problems at Wolves, weren’t there? He’s come into the Premier League before but he’s not set the world on fire, has he? Managing abroad and managing in this country are two different things,” he said.
“And then the Spain thing, when he went and spoke to Real Madrid. Well, I don’t blame him [for doing that] but you can’t just jump ship, no matter who you are. You’ve got a responsibility to Spain.
“This makes me think, if he was to get the West Ham job, if something bigger were to come up, he’d be off. I don’t think he’s got any morals. I don’t know the guy, but for him to leave the Spanish job to go to Real Madrid, that’s a big statement, isn’t it? It means he’s sought-after.
“Listen, I’m old school but I’d have liked to have brought in maybe Michael Carrick or something. That would have done me if someone like that had come in. Somebody who knows the club and somebody who knows how to get the best out of players.”
Should West Ham United hire someone other than Julen Lopetegui?
Fan reaction to Lopetegui’s expected appointment has been lukewarm at best.
The Spaniard was in talks to take the AC Milan job but backlash from the Rossoneri supporters forced the Serie A giants to change direction.
Hammers fans will hope that the 57-year-old is committed to overseeing a stylistic transformation over several seasons at the London Stadium and will not move on too swiftly if his debut year proves successful.
In other West Ham news, Wolves’ stance on Max Kilman has been shared by Fabrizio Romano amid links with the Hammers.
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