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456 posts













Stabil, verdient, HEIMSIEG! #M05BOC


Julen Lopetegui is not a particularly good manager, and has always looked a strange fit for West Ham, but he hardly deserves the unedifying situation of the club talking to possible successors with him still in the building. But it’s no surprise he may soon be gone. The surprise was he’s lasted so long. In fairness to the West Ham board, they usually try to give managers a chance. They’re not trigger-happy. But they blundered in appointing Lopetegui. Safe hands as a goalkeeper but not as a manager. His exit would make sense as the football isn’t great, so hardly an improvement on David Moyes, results were poor (10 defeats in 22), fans had turned and his successor gets more of the transfer window. If it is Graham Potter, it’s worth remembering that he is a project manager, who wants to build a culture and build a team. Potter’s not a quick-fix coach. He’s good, and needs to get back into the game at a good club like West Ham, but he needs time and patience. It’s pointless appointing Potter until the rest of the season. He’s not a fireman. He’s a builder. He needs longer. He's more a natural fit at West Ham than Lopetegui, who keeps getting good jobs. Spain, Real Madrid. Must interview superbly, or have good connections talking him up. Sacked after 10 games at Rayo Vallecano, became a TV pundit, did well with Spanish youth sides, guided Porto to UCL quarters, then sacked but decent record (48 wins in 71). Took Spain to 2018 World Cup, good record (unbeaten in all 20 games) – so far, so solid - but sacked before tournament after announcement he was off to Real after Russia. Strange behaviour. Surely just focus on Spain, then worry about a club job, however prestigious. Anyway, sacked after only 16 games at Real, including 5-1 humiliation in El Clasico. Lopetegui did win Europa League with Sevilla in 2020. Left after poor results in 2022. Odd spell at Wolves, 27 games, 11 defeats, got them to 13th, left by mutual consent after disagreement with board over recruitment. Followed Moyes at West Ham underachieving with some decent players (Kudus, Paqueta, Kilman, Summerville, Bowen now injured). Did manage to beat Manchester United and Newcastle United. But results/performances not good enough. #WHUFC



















