West Ham United’s appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new manager has sparked a debate among fans, with some cautiously optimistic about his pragmatic style and others concerned about the challenges he faces.
Many fans see Lopetegui’s focus on building from the back as a welcome departure from David Moyes‘ approach. The Spaniard’s reputation for playing decent, structured football offers a potential improvement, especially considering the team’s struggles this season.
However, co-owner David Sullivan’s reported target of a top-eight finish in the league creates a dilemma. While Lopetegui’s experience is undeniable, achieving that target might be unrealistic given the significant squad overhaul needed.
Reports suggest up to 12 players could leave West Ham this summer, leaving Lopetegui with an ageing squad in desperate need of fresh blood. Building a team that can compete for a top-eight finish amidst such a rebuild might be a tall order.
Initially wary of his appointment, I suggest a shift in focus from immediate results to long-term development. Patience is crucial to allow Lopetegui to implement his vision and oversee the squad rebuild. Perhaps progress, not just points on the board, should be the measure of success in his first season?
Lopetegui’s appointment has divided the West Ham faithful. Some fans welcome the change in style and are willing to trust his experience. Others, however, worry that the immediate challenges might overshadow any long-term vision.
Surely he will be selling the Older Players and using the money to buy new Players. There is money to come from the on loan Players as well and gosh the Board will have to put their hands in their pockets and produce enough money to buy a decent squad, whilst blooding our your Players.
The fact the Squad is in this state says a lot for Moyes tenure as Manager.
Whatever your thoughts on the new manager, he must be given time. Patience is crucial with the size of the rebuild required
He wont have joined without a promise of funds. There is 5-6 under 21 players who could be brought in and then with Steidten buying approach we could have 6-8 new players we might finally have a squad big enough to complete and give our youth a change to progress. It is easy to forget how Declan rice at 19 was playing first team football. Without that opportunity he would not be the player he is today. We have too many old players past there best.
Agree, Lopetegui will have a big job overhauling the ageing squad, and must be given time and £££ to complete a rebuild.
I won’t be expecting top 8 finish next season, but maybe see how year 2 of the project looks, and that’s how his contract is structured, 2 seasons and an option.
Will the squad be ageing that he is left with ? Ings, Antonio, Cornet, Soucek, Cresswell, Emerson, Johnson, Coufal, Zouma, Paqueta, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Mubama, among the names linked with leaving most of them are the over 25 closer to 30 and above.
With another manager like a Fonseca you would expect the youth team to be developed, Lopetegui is not especially talked about with bringing youth through.
He can bring back Kehrer and Benrahma for a start and give Cormet a game is like 3 new players for nothing
If he is our new manager, he will not sign a deal unless he has funds to replace a large proportion of this squad. His experience at Wolves hasn’t put him off coming back to the premiership hopefully, so I think if he signs a deal, he would have been given enough assurances that over a period of time the funds/quality players will be available to get our club into the top 6. The region of Spain this chap comes from somehow manages to produce successful footballers/managers, the culture/life and values are different .My view on him is, I think his best is still to come so hopefully his success is ours as well.
I fear what happened to Forest the other season could happen to us. With so many new faces required to come in, creating a settled playing force that will start to click might take until after the new year. By then we could be at the wrong end of table. I think Moyes’ poor recruitment, his small squad rubbish and falling to bring youth into the first team may well come back to bite us. We have to give Loppy time to hopefully work a bit magic.
Totally agree our squad is very much in need of an overhaul we have only kudas,Bowen,Alvarez, and Paqueta who would get in the top 4 sides. Our defence has no pace this coming season will probably be a very difficult one unless we can sign quite a few players who would be far better than what we have already. This will be difficult as we are not going to be in ant European competitions.