News from Germany regarding one of the long-standing favourites to replace Julen Lopetegui. Long considered one of the “short-listed” head coach candidates, Edin Terzic was an assistant under Slaven Bilic and had been lauded as a potential successor to the Spaniard. His behind the scenes experience at London Stadium and his prior record working with the Hammers’ management was thought to put him at a distinct advantage.
Many believed that Tim Stediten was the main proponent of hiring the 42 year old, having admired Terzic’s success in the Bundesliga.
However it appears from a report in bild.de – covered by sportwitness.co.uk – that Terzic is not interested in the head coach role at West Ham.
The report confirms:”BILD report that West Ham ‘asked Terzic very specifically’ this week on Wednesday but found themselves quickly turned down.
Terzic, who led Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, was uninterested in taking charge of a team who currently sit 14th in the Premier League. He has his sights set higher than a side who are ‘languishing in lower mid-table’ at this point.”
That would suggest it wasn’t about contract details, length, salary etc but a more fundamental rejection of coming to take the role at West Ham.
If the report is true, it could explain why the board decided to keep Lopetegui in place – following their preferred candidate refusing the offer to replace him.
It surely makes Lopetegui’s uncomfortable position utterly untenable if the club are actively offering his job to other candidates whilst keeping him in place.
Indeed, just that.
I for one am relieved.He was the least desirable of a mediocre bunch imo.
Until Sullivan dispenses with his alleged stance on managerial candidates (or he himself is dispensed with) we will never employ the calibre of manager the club deserves and our limitations will remain.
Agreed WH,
Terzic would not be my choice when the times comes to finally put us and JLo out this misery.
The names so far that have appeared on C&H have all been underwhelming though tbh.
Hoeness would be the ideal coach as he saved Stuttgart from relegation and then with a small budget finished 2nd in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Champions League.
Potter & Allegri should never be considered. I’ve lost count of the others but they weren’t exactly exciting candidates.
I find this “not wanting to take a job because we’re sitting 14th” a bit condescending. If a coach is as good as he/she thinks they are, they would be able to take a team to those “higher sights”.