West Ham have formally announced the signing of Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach.
The appointment will herald a new system in which the club will run a director of football/head coach axis for the first time in the club’s history.
Lopetegui has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year, which is believed to focus on qualification for European football.
The Spaniard has presented a compelling vision of how he would like to take the club forward and is believed to already have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the players already at the club.
The announcement of the former Spain and Real Madrid boss has been in the pipeline for quite some time, and he was fully consulted on the club’s pre-season tour decisions.
Lopetegui has been unveiled as the Hammers new head coach
Speaking to the clubs in house media team, Lopetegui said; “I feel very happy to be part of the future of this big club,” The new head coach continued. “We will try to put our stamp on the club. We have a fantastic platform built over the last few years, but my ambition is to always achieve more, improve the players, and compete at the highest level. Football is about competing, and we are very ambitious.”
Lopetegui emphasised his commitment to West Ham, stating, “I am here because I want to be here. We had other opportunities, but I am very happy that West Ham chose me, and I chose West Ham. We came here with the idea of making a big impact, and we are excited about this challenge. The fans will be key to our achievements.”
Joining Lopetegui are Pablo Sanz (Assistant Head Coach), Oscar Caro (Head of Performance & Assistant Coach), Juan Vicente Peinado (Head of Analysis & Assistant Coach), Borja De Alba (Fitness Coach), and Edu Rubio (Technical Coach). Xavi Valero will continue as the first team Goalkeeper Coach.
Lopetegui will meet his squad at Rush Green in early July before taking the Hammers to Florida for The Sunshine State Tour, where they will face his former club Wolves and Crystal Palace.
Welcome to slow boring possession based low scoring non attack minded football. Say goodbye to fast counterattacking team goals. More wins under Moyes than any other manager and more goals. Yet he was forced out by the loud minority of our own fans. Lopetegui is going to have to really go some to get anywhere Moyes record. For me it’s just another Sullivan Pellegrini appointment.
Onwards and upwards, welcome to West Ham gaffer.
A dark cloud has been lifted. Let’s hope for sunlit uplands
It’s very fitting old loopy is sitting in front of my boyhood hero sir Bobby , he was the epitome of everything west ham god bless you Bobby, we sing about being the champions of Europe as far as I’m concerned we are the only club to have won the world cup,they think its alll over we aint started yet COYI
Yes get behind him. No doubt we will get people on here slagging him off
Patience will be required by the fan base. Not just for a new manager coming in, but especially for the major overhaul of the squad needed
At last all the smoke and mirrors nonsense done with…..i welcome Jlo and am curious to see what he does with the squad and new players that will be coming in.
I liked what he had to say very impressive. Let’s now park the negativity, get behind him and see what he can deliver. It could be an exciting ride!
Fully agree Magnum. Let’s give Lopetegui and his team our full support. It is great that we have brought them in early enough to take a full part in the difficult rebuilding process and the pre-season games. Early transfer business next please.