Tim Steidten looked like the cat who got the cream when he discussed hiring Julen Lopetegui as West Ham’s new head coach.
During yesterday’s news conference double-header featuring Steidten and Lopetegui, the Hammers’ director of football explained precisely why he feels West Ham has got the right man.
It’s a far cry from the end of last season when Steidten was banned from the West Ham training ground and dressing room as tensions grew between himself and David Moyes. So it was heartening to see a show of mutual respect and admiration from the two men mandated with driving the club forward.
Steidten said of his new mate J-Lo: “We were looking for an ambitious coach who showed a hunger to achieve more. It was also important to bring someone in who fitted our profile in terms of style of play, philosophy, communication, and integrating young players. Julen fits that profile, and he also speaks four languages, which is key. After the first meeting we had with Julen, I was 100 percent convinced he was the right coach for us.”
Integrating young players from our academy or young players from other countries?
So if it goes bandy, let’s see if he sticks his head up then..