Kaveh Solhekol shares how long West Ham United are willing to give Julen Lopetegui
West Ham United will give new manager Julen Lopetegui 12 months until a significant judgement on his performance, according to Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol.
With the news that David Moyes will depart the London Stadium after the end of the season, Lopetegui is in the frame to replace the Scot having agreed terms with chairman David Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten.
According to Solhekol, West Ham want to be judged on their decision to bring Lopetegui in for Moyes a year from now.
Moyes departs after five years having steered the club to European silverware last season, with some branding the club ‘disrespectful’ and ‘sneaky’ for their open dealings with other coaches prior to confirming Moyes’ situation.
Lopetegui has received similar criticism during his coaching career, having notably been sacked by the Spanish FA on the eve of the World Cup in 2018 after allegedly being tapped up to take the Real Madrid job later that summer.
How will Lopetegui fare at West Ham United?
Make no mistake, Lopetegui’s CV and current situation will bode perfectly for Sullivan and Steidten.
In addition to high-profile job successes with Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla and prior Premier League experience with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the free agent coach also arrives in East London requiring no outgoing compensation.
The financial advantage of Lopetegui’s lack of current club is clear, coupled with the fact that nine months out of work illustrates that the Spaniard was waiting for the right project, and an eagerness to operate with greater resources than at Molineux.
Lopetegui favoured what is now considered in some quarters to be at best traditional and at worst outdated and easy to oppose, the 4-4-2 system, whilst with Wolves. Diego Costa and Matheus Cunha would usually partner in attack, but West Ham require reinforcements all over the park and especially up top if the new boss is to execute his preferred shape.
With Lopetegui expected to be heavily involved in recruitment, pressure will be on the Spaniard to succeed in the coming months.
In other West Ham news, a transfer update is given on Mohammed Kudus.
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