Julen Lopetegui could be set for swift West Ham United exit amid financial concerns
Tony Cottee has suggested that Julen Lopetegui could quickly fall out with the West Ham board due to financial restraints.
The ex-West Ham striker doesn’t believe that Lopetegui is the right man to take the club forward.
Lopetegui is set to officially take over at London Stadium as David Moyes’ successor once the 2023-24 campaign concludes.
Speaking on talkSPORT (17 May, 08:42am) Cottee said: “It’s going to be interesting. I don’t see how getting rid of David Moyes and replacing him with Lopetegui is a forward move for the club. I just don’t see it. It’s a like-for-like replacement.
“They’ve both won European trophies and are of a similar age. What I will say is that it will be an interesting summer at West Ham with players out of contract, some getting older and in need of moving on.
“Then there’s [Lucas] Paqueta to Man City. It all comes back to money. And the one thing Lopetegui has fallen out with at his other clubs is money.
“So it will be very interesting. If they get some tough fixtures in those first six games, it will be interesting to see what happens at the club.”
Will Julen Lopetegui be a success at the London Stadium with West Ham United?
It would be fair for West Ham fans to suggest that Lopetegui isn’t a manager who fills them with great confidence.
Lopetegui isn’t known for playing the most exciting football, something which supporters at London Stadium are desperate to see.
While the Argentine did manage Real Madrid, his time with the La Liga giants was hardly memorable, and he isn’t much younger than Moyes either.
There is little to suggest that he is the answer to West Ham’s problems ahead of what will be a crucial summer in East London.
It is likely to be a busy few months in terms of transfer activity, and Lopetegui will be keen to make his mark as quickly as possible.
Moyes has been with the Hammers for a while now, which means the squad is mostly his, and Lopetegui will be keen to put his stamp on the team.
If financial restraints stop him from doing this, things could get interesting, as Cottee says. And while talk of a swift exit seems premature, the 57-year-old is no stranger to a quick departure.
In other West Ham news, one player is ready to quit the club this summer.
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