Julen Lopetegui has finally been backed to do a good job at West Ham as an ex star speaks out in defence of the new head coach. Most managers get a period of grace when they take over at a new club.
And while West Ham fans will certainly get behind Julen Lopetegui and give him every chance, the media have been piling the pressure on before a ball has even been kicked in anger.
It is fair to say initial reaction from Hammers fans to the appointment both before and since the announcement has been lukewarm. Although many have warmed to the idea after hearing from Lopetegui about his ambitions and plans.
Media analysis, on the whole, has been scathing with judgement of Lopetegui undeniably tainted by the way he left Wolves last summer. A host of pundits, journalists, ex players and even some West Ham legends have warned he is the wrong appointment.
Troy Deeney also reckons Lopetegui could be sacked after just 10 games. No red carpet treatment for new boss
And Simon Jordan insists the ex Spain boss SHOULD be sacked if West Ham don’t play better football under him given that was a big reason for parting ways with David Moyes.
Sky Sports’s chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol recently said the Hammers board have told him they want fans to give Lopetegui a year before judging him. West Ham rather oddly refused to disclose the length of the 57-year-old’s contract when he was officially unveiled.
It has since been claimed it is a two-year deal with an interesting caveat which triggers a third year. So there’s no hiding the fact Lopetegui will be under pressure at West Ham from the start.
And there’ll be no red carpet treatment from the media, among whom Moyes has many friends who’ve been warning the Hammers to be careful what they wish for.
But now Lopetegui has finally been backed to do a good job at West Ham as an ex star speaks. Former Hammers winger Matt Jarvis is in a unique position to comment on Lopetegui given he follows the goings-on at his old club Wolves closely too.
And Jarvis believes Lopetegui has ‘all the credentials to do really well at West Ham’. “I think he has got a point to prove as well now,” Jarvis said on talkSPORT at the weekend.
“I think he is going to come to a West Ham squad that’s a very, very good squad. He is going to want to add to that, and I think West Ham do need to bring in players.
“But he is going to need to hit the ground running, he is going to need his staff to make sure they are on top of everything because now people are looking at him after the Wolves thingy, thinking his CV is very, very good and now he has got to go and prove it.
“I think he has got all the credentials to do really well at West Ham.”
A more considered view of Lopetegui Jarvis joins a very exclusive list of people who have spoken out in defence of Lopetegui.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has consistently championed his compatriot. Lopetegui’s old manager Carlos Aimar recently declared West Ham are about to go on an ‘exciting journey’ with their new boss. Sky Sports’ leading analyst Adam Bate also believes West Ham and the former Sevilla boss will prove to be a perfect match.
