Julen Lopetegui replaced David Moyes at West Ham United officially on July 1st of this summer.
West Ham brought Julen Lopetegui to the London Stadium after David Moyes was moved on, and the owners backed him to the hilt in the summer, with nine new players coming into the club.
Despite the terrific transfer window, the 58-year-old Spaniard is currently under real pressure at West Ham, especially after some poor decisions before and during the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea yesterday.
It’s not looking great for Lopetegui right now, but giving the gaffer our patience and plenty of time will be key to him turning things around.
That doesn’t mean to say that we can’t criticise him, but it needs to be constructive, and something that is crucial to achieving progress is being able to take the positives from the very worst of moments.
I feel like we’re in that phase right now. We can either trust the process and back the manager, or all get on his back and call for his head – the latter certainly won’t be good for anyone.
Something Lopetegui said after yesterday’s London derby defeat showed me that he’s prepared to take the blame on the chin for our poor start to the season, and that’s the sign of a real leader.
Julen Lopetegui sends West Ham fans message
The Spaniard must have been feeling lower than a snake’s belly after yesterday’s humbling loss at home to Chelsea.
The players were nowhere near good enough, but Lopetegui has to take most of the blame.
His set up was all wrong and his substitutions left a lot to be desired as well.
I’m sure he will be doing everything in his power to make things right, and his comments after the game were very encouraging to hear if you ask me.
Lopetegui spoke to WHUFC.com, and sent a 13-word message to the Hammers fans.
The Spaniard said, “The message for supporters is first to say we are sorry about today.“
That was actually refreshing to hear.
Now, I’m fully aware that Lopetegui and his players need to make big improvements. However, to hear him apologise to the fans proves that he cares.
The most important thing now will be for the Spaniard to get all of his new signings gelling together on the pitch.
Lopetegui still streets ahead of Moyes
The Scot spent six months in charge at the London Stadium during his first spell in East London, and then four-and-a-half years during his second stint.
Don’t get me wrong, Moyes did a lot of good things for the Hammers.
He took us on to another level within the first year of his return to the London Stadium in December 2019.
And we do all need to remember that he led us to our first major trophy since 1980 back in the summer of 2023, when we beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
However, the football became turgid at the end of his reign, and there was a huge disconnect between him and the fans.
He sniped at the Hammers fans on numerous occasions during his final season at the club, and he didn’t once take full responsibility for some of the hammerings we were on the wrong end of, nor did he send the fans a heartfelt apology at any point.
The games away at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and Chelsea, Fulham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season were all examples of times when Moyes should have said sorry to the fans.
Julen Lopetegui has proven already that he’s prepared to take full responsibility for his faults, and he let the fans know that after the Chelsea game.
Despite the slow start, I think he’s head and shoulders above Moyes.
