Julen Lopetegui credited after “awful” West Ham developments
Phil McNulty has credited Julen Lopetegui for his level of professionalism after he was sacked from West Ham.
The Hammers parted ways with the Spaniard on 8 January after a struggling season so far, replacing him with Graham Potter.
However, David Sullivan and the Hammers hierarchy have come under criticism for the way they went about the sack with Lopetegui taking training on the day he was let go, despite knowing he was leaving.
McNulty felt the 58-year-old handled himself well in a difficult situation, writing on BBC Sport: “I thought it was pretty awful that Julen Lopetegui was taking training at West Ham United when everyone knew he was losing his job.
“For all the justified criticisms about his time at West Ham, I think it is credit to his professionalism that he went about his business as normal until his fate was sealed.”
Graham Potter replaces Julen Lopetegui at West Ham
There isn’t much doubt that Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham was not going to plan and therefore, his dismissal was not much of a surprise, nor was it unfair.
However, the hierarchy at The London Stadium did little to ensure this decision was kept under wraps and it seems almost certain that the Spaniard knew he was out of a job before he was properly informed.
This led the 58-year-old to take training just before he found out the fate of his future, while deals were being lined up to bring Potter in as his replacement, which isn’t the most professional way to do things.
Nevertheless, the manager handled himself well and, as McNulty says, showed his professionalism to get on with it until he was told differently.
Potter is certainly a more inspiring appointment in East London and it will be hoped he can take the club forward now. However, the 49-year-old will certainly require the backing and patience to execute his plan for the Hammers.
In other West Ham news, Graham Potter could transform the Irons with a Wolves player.
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