West Ham‘s incoming manager, Julen Lopetegui, has addressed the concerns and questions surrounding his appointment by outlining his football philosophy on his personal website.
A section of West Ham fans remain unconvinced by Lopetegui’s credentials, while the media seems ready to criticise his decisions. Lopetegui acknowledges this but emphasises his commitment to winning over the fans.
Lopetegui’s Footballing Philosophy
Focus on Style and Decision-Making: Lopetegui prioritises playing style and player decision-making over rigid formations.
Controlling the Game: Ideally, he wants his teams to dominate possession but acknowledges the importance of adapting to different situations.
Defined Playing Identity: He emphasises the importance of players understanding and executing clear game concepts.
Player Management
Focus on Mental and Emotional Wellbeing: Lopetegui recognizes the pressure young players face and emphasises the importance of mental and emotional well-being for optimal performance.
Building Player Commitment: He believes in fostering player commitment to his ideas and maintaining a positive and motivated squad.
Relationships with Fans, Media, and Club
Managing External Pressure: Lopetegui acknowledges the importance of managing external pressures from the media and fans while representing the club effectively.
Effective Communication: He emphasizes the need for a strong coaching staff that can communicate his message clearly to all stakeholders.
Staying Current as a Coach
Technology as a Tool: While acknowledging the value of technology in analysis and communication, Lopetegui believes the essence of coaching lies in experience and adaptability.
Learning from Experience: He emphasises self-criticism and continuous learning as key aspects of being a successful coach.
Player Understanding
Training with Purpose: Lopetegui wants his players to understand the rationale behind training exercises and how they translate to game situations.
Motivation Through Understanding: He believes in explaining the “why” of training methods to enhance player buy-in and motivation.
Overall, Lopetegui’s message highlights his focus on player development, a possession-based style with tactical flexibility, and the importance of clear communication and building a strong team culture.
This all sounds excellent, but can he put it into practice? I really hope so !
I notice there has been no criticism of Chelsea overPochettino. Why is that. Oh because it’s one of the entitled clubs!
Well said . Not a criticism of sacking Poch! it sticks in the media and pundits throats that their is a possibility of West Ham doing well !
I heard they’re in a rush to appoint Moyse
I think that he answers/explanation would be expected from an experienced travelled manager. The press in general seem to be intent on belittling West Ham and their choice of manager. By and large the supporters seem prepared to wait and see and hopefully he will achieve at least an improvement on this season. Heres hoping COYH
The media, and not very good ex-footballers, really dislike West Ham because they hate the idea of the Irons being a very big club. By any measure, West Ham could, and should, be considered as a top eight team. The fact that we seldom reach the dizzy heights is due to mismanagement and lack of ambition. I have a feeling that the Lopetegui and Steidten combination might just be the start of some good times.
Stop the negativity and give them a chance.