Sky Sports journalist shares what Lopetegui told Bayern Munich about West Ham United
Julen Lopetegui informed Bayern Munich weeks ago that he wished to join West Ham United as the club formally unveiled their new head coach, according to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenburg.
Plettenburg claimed on X [23 May] that Lopetegui told Bayern of his intentions due to the pursuit of the Spaniard by Hammers technical director Tim Steidten throughout the last few months of the season.
West Ham officially announced Lopetegui as their new head coach on Thursday morning, who signs a long-term contract to replace Conference League-winning manager David Moyes.
In Plettenburg’s post, he stated: “Seventeen days ago, he told Bayern’s Max Eberl on the phone that he will join West Ham!
“The club with boss Tim Steidten was pushing for him! Now Julen Lopetegui is the new coach of WHUFC.”
West Ham get their man as Bayern look for other Kompany
It was of course only a matter of time before Lopetegui’s official unveiling, which was always going to come after West Ham’s final match of the Premier League season at Manchester City on Sunday under Moyes.
The first item on the Spaniard’s agenda at the London Stadium was to approve the expected signing of Brazil defender Fabricio Bruno, who Steidten and the board have identified for a fee in the region of £12.8m.
In Bayern’s case, it’s a serious return to the drawing board having fallen short of the Bundesliga title for the first time in 12 years, finishing third with an unacceptable 18-point gap to champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Thomas Tuchel leaves the German giants with his tail between his legs after a first trophyless season since 2012, with attentions turning to the surprise choice of Vincent Kompany – who has recently suffered relegation from the Premier League with Burnley.
It looks like a different approach with more turbulence expected over in the Bayern camp, but West Ham will like to think they’re moving in a slick new direction.
In other West Ham news, there is an update on a potential club bonus after Gianluca Scamacca won the Europa League with Atalanta on Wednesday night.
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