West Ham United hire inevitable as what close friends have told Julen Lopetegui is revealed
Julen Lopetegui’s return to English football management with West Ham was ‘inevitable’ says The Telegraph’s John Percy, following a combination of his time in the Premier League and close friends’ advice.
According to the report on 7 May, Lopetegui has remained living in Wolverhampton since leaving Wolves nine months ago, frustrated with the club’s lack of spending power having had to adhere to Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
Lopetegui has agreed to become the new manager of West Ham United from the start of next season, with David Moyes’ departure confirmed after five years at the London Stadium.
Close friends in management had told the former Spain and Real Madrid coach that English football was ahead of any other European league in quality and competition, and his productive spell at Molineux reinforced that narrative in the 57-year-old’s mind.
Could Julen Lopetegui have joined another English club sooner?
The fact Lopetegui stayed at his English base after having left Wolves, it’s clear he had tunnel vision on which league his next job would be in.
Following successful talks with the West Ham hierarchy – who had dwindling relations with Moyes over the past few months – Lopetegui appears confident the club will have resources to recruit and build, and that his hands won’t be tied when bulking his philosophy with the sufficient level and profile of player.
Since the Spaniard resigned at Molineux – just 72 hours before the opening day of this season – only three managerial casualties have occurred: Paul Heckingbottom at Sheffield United; Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest, and Roy Hodgson’s resignation from Crystal Palace.
Of the trio of clubs to change manager, Forest took until the following day to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo; the Blades and Palace announced replacements the same day – meaning Lopetegui would have been deep into talks already if he was even remotely in the frame for these jobs. Not to mention the financial restrictions surrounding them – particularly Forest.
One would think that Lopetegui has been pragmatic and patient about his next club – and now a new English project awaits at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, the club are looking to sign a highly-rated young forward.
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