Tony Cottee issues brutal Julen Lopetegui verdict after West Ham United development
Tony Cottee took to talkSPORT to air his brutal views on Julen Lopetegui and West Ham United following another defeat.
The former Hammers striker laid into the head coach after shipping five goals at Anfield on Wednesday night to hand Liverpool a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Lopetegui has so far won just one of his five Premier League games in charge, and next up is a trip across London to Brentford.
Cottee, responding to Alan Brazil’s questioning over Lopetegui on talkSPORT [26 September, 08:40], said: “I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t want him in the first place, and I made my feelings quite clear.
“I’ve said all along to be careful what you wish for, and David Moyes did a superb job – even if the football wasn’t always the free-flowing football we want to see as Hammers fans.
“My problem with the appointment is that it is a sidewards step, to someone pretty much the same age, same sort of tactics as Moyes and about the same number of trophies. I want Lopetegui to be successful, but I just doubt him.”
Julen Lopetegui facing critics at West Ham
It was always going to be a transition process at the London Stadium, so Lopetegui will be given enough time to make his impact on the squad.
But things have started slowly and the team are leaking goals, not a happy sight for Tim Steidten after the money invested by the board on transfers during the summer.
Lopetegui is still in an experimental phase with his team, and some like Cottee who were opposed to his appointment from the start are not too hopeful.
Moyes will always hold a place in Irons fans’ hearts after the Conference League triumph in 2023, but many were excited for a summer of change.
It hasn’t quite had the anticipated lift-off, but it could well be a slow burner leading to a decent first season for Lopetegui.
In other West Ham news, Kevin Nolan slams Max Kilman’s defending against Liverpool.
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