While there has understandably been much talk about Ruben Amorim over the past few days, West Ham’s trip to Nottingham Forest provides Julen Lopetegui with an opportunity to hush some of the noise.
The frustration among fans that the Hammers missed out on arguably the continent’s brightest young coaching talent has only been heightened by Lopetegui’s stuttering start in East London. In essence, it feels as if we’ve drawn the short straw in managerial choices, especially with reports suggesting Amorim was willing to make the move to the London Stadium.
However, if West Ham can secure a win against Nuno Espírito Santo’s high-flying side this weekend and move into the top half of the Premier League, some of the hype around Amorim may start to subside.
It won’t be easy, given that Forest appear to excel in areas where Lopetegui’s tactics are most vulnerable. But aside from a chaotic half against Tottenham, the Irons have looked okay defensively in away fixtures.
We’re already sitting higher in the table than Manchester United, who face a tough game against Chelsea, while Newcastle are beginning to feel mounting media pressure as well. West Ham have taken a beating in the national press recently, and while Saturday’s game isn’t a “must-win” fixture, it’s undeniably important.
This match offers Lopetegui a chance to shift the narrative away from himself and onto others. Ruben Amorim may indeed become the next Pep Guardiola—or he could end up another Ten Hag. Whatever the future holds, it will seem far less consequential if the man in the Claret & Blue dugout doesn’t look like the wrong choice.
I think the last time Sullivan took a manager in active employment it was Steve Bruce from Palace to Birmingham. Simon Jordan took legal action over it, maybe that experience put him off.
I suspect its more about him being tight though and what he considers to be ‘value.’
Which is funny because he’ll spend all sorts on tacky crystal panthers for his home, but the most important appointment at his football club he won’t spend a single penny to get the RIGHT manager out of another club.
Which is frankly bizarre. The right appointment, rather than the cheap appointment, would end up paying for itself anyway.
Hush fans with a win over Forrest? The sensible approach would be over a longer period. For instance the opening day loss to Villa we waited to express our thoughts and some kind people mentioned gelling etc. But with a win against Forrest and fan annoyance at not getting Amorim will be hushed?
Maybe go back to writing about putting Bowen up top 😂
“We’re already sitting higher in the table than Manchester United”. Yes, but on goals scored only, otherwise same points and goal difference.
Both West Ham and Forest are led by a former goalkeeper. We’ll soon see what the difference is!
As for Amorin, it has been said that the main reason he didn’t get the West Ham job is because Sullivan refused to pay £10mill compensation to Porto. And apparently he has NEVER paid compensation to any club to secure a manager. Is this actually true? Maybe one of the C&H journos can anwer that.
Sadly Sullivan and his PR cronies and media mates are in hyper defensive mode currently and denying any narrative that suggests Sullivan “pulled the plug” on Amourim due to compensation. He wouldnt have flown ovee if there was not interest etc but its being spun as “ no deal was in place”. Leaving out that Sullivan was as always going to go with a Will Salthouse client that would require no compensation and only £3 mill salary. The budget option. Sure he has experienxe does Loppy but so did Pellegrini.
He will be praying that Amourim doesnt crack he basket case that is Man Utd so that he can feed his need to be right and ego. If Amourim is a success it will be the latest of a catalog of bad judgement calls. Over 14 years our owner has proved to be football illiterate and someone who places “control”, self interest and self promotion above anything else. To be fair, has faciliated decent transfer funding in recent years but his addiction to power and control ( classic little man psyche ) has led him to miss opportunity after opportunity to really put the club at a higher level. He doesnt mean it, he actually has good intentions but cannot listen to others enough. . He’s been running the club in a way that is 20-30 years behind the times. The appointment of a Tech Director was 10 years too late and now he needs to learn to “trust” others advice and not always want to dominate on decisions relating to football. He’s just not good at it and using your gut or rekationships is far less objective than the data driven approach we need to fully embrace. IMHO of course 😬
Thanks for your take on it, Sir Alf!
Words to live by, “Never trust a man who is vertically challenged (under 5’9″)”.
yesterdays post from Sean: ‘Sullivan NEVER pays compensation”