Julen Lopetegui Set to Take Over as West Ham Manager
Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach, is reportedly on the verge of becoming the new manager of West Ham United at the end of the season. Although nothing has been signed yet, it seems that the 57-year-old is close to making a return to management after leaving Wolves last August.
The current West Ham boss, David Moyes, has faced increasing pressure in recent weeks due to a poor run of results. The team has only managed one win in their last nine Premier League games and were eliminated from the Europa League in the quarter-finals. The heavy 5-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday further added to the mounting criticism of Moyes.
Moyes, whose contract expires in the summer, has repeatedly deflected questions about his future at the club, stating that talks will not take place until after their final game against Manchester City on May 19th. However, it seems that the club’s hierarchy is already exploring alternatives, with Lopetegui emerging as a strong candidate.
Lopetegui’s potential arrival at West Ham is not surprising, as he has been linked with several managerial positions since leaving Wolves. The Spanish coach is believed to be interested in returning to the Premier League, especially after guiding Wolves to safety last season when they were struggling at the bottom of the table.
Lopetegui has an impressive track record, having won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020 before moving to Wolves two years later. Under his guidance, Wolves finished 13th in the Premier League last season. However, Lopetegui’s frustration with the club’s financial situation led to his resignation.
On the other hand, Moyes has had his successes at West Ham. He led the team to three consecutive European campaigns for the first time in their history and ended their 43-year trophy drought by winning the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina last June. Despite these achievements, some fans have criticized Moyes for what they perceive as negative tactics.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the potential appointment of Lopetegui will be received by the West Ham supporters. The club’s hierarchy may view him as a suitable replacement for Moyes, given his experience and success in European competitions. However, Lopetegui will need to prove himself in the Premier League once again, and the pressure will be on him to deliver positive results and attractive football.
In conclusion, the news of Julen Lopetegui’s potential appointment as the next West Ham manager has generated excitement and intrigue among football fans. With Moyes under increasing scrutiny and Lopetegui keen to return to the Premier League, it seems that a managerial change at West Ham is on the horizon. Only time will tell if Lopetegui can bring success and a fresh playing style to the London club.