West Ham United finally unveiled their new head coach, Julen Lopetegui, yesterday, two weeks after he officially signed on the dotted line.
The club opted to wait until David Moyes‘ departure was finalised before officially announcing Lopetegui’s appointment. Lopetegui takes the reins as West Ham’s 18th permanent manager, but with a twist – he’s the first to hold the title of “head coach,” reflecting a shift towards a more European-style management structure.
While Lopetegui’s arrival was confirmed, the club remained tight-lipped about the specifics of his contract. This lack of transparency has sparked curiosity among fans. Reports suggest Lopetegui has a two-year contract with a performance-based twist. If West Ham qualifies for a European competition within those two seasons, his deal will automatically extend for a third year, keeping him at the club until June 2027.
Lopetegui will work alongside technical director Tim Steidten, who recently pledged his long-term commitment to West Ham. Steidten envisions a five-year project for the club, and it remains to be seen how long Lopetegui’s tenure will align with that vision.
Lopetegui’s contract officially begins on July 1st. Interestingly, any work he does in May and June to prepare for the upcoming season will be unpaid.
West Ham’s decision to withhold details about the contract length adds a layer of intrigue to Lopetegui’s appointment. His success in achieving European qualification will not only determine the club’s performance but also potentially influence the length of his stay and the overall direction of the West Ham project.
Starting unpaid work now and doing homework about West Ham in previous months shows that JLO is super keen to succeed.
I imagine the 3rd year is automatic if we make Europe and then probably a rolling contract.
I suspect if he is doing well and have us playing positive and bringing youth through etc I think they will look to renew or trigger his 3rd Year anyway.