New Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui has shared a transfer promise he received from the West Ham hierarchy.
Julen Lopetegui may not have been the first choice name on the lIps of West Ham fans to replace David Moyes.
But if sceptics among Hammers fans took comfort in one thing, it was the fact he walked out on Wolves on the eve of last season over broken promises.
Many West Ham supporters saw that as proof Lopetegui was a manager of substance and principle.
The Spaniard walked out on Wolves after the club continually shifted the goalposts regarding transfer spending and ambition.
Fans feel West Ham hiring someone who is not going to be a board ‘yes man’ while also demanding investment in the team can only be a good thing.
So long as he gets that investment of course.
A boss who demands investment from his owners
There was understandable concern, then, when it was claimed Lopetegui could walk out on West Ham just three official days into the job this week.
The report in question said the 57-year-old was already fed up of a lack of progress on transfers.
West Ham responded to that claim emphatically when speaking to Hammers News and promised a £40m signing would be on the way within 72 hours.
Sure enough come Saturday Max Kilman was reunited with Lopetegui in a £40m deal.
In doing so the Hammers blew fears the club is working to a tightly restricted transfer budget out of the water.
Technical director Tim Steidten had promised a big window when speaking to the media on Monday.
And Lopetegui insisted in the same press conference he wanted to ‘make a big noise’ at West Ham by putting together a new-look side.
Hammers News revealed that majority owner David Sullivan was set to meet his new head coach for dinner in midweek.
Now Lopetegui has shared a transfer promise he has received from the West Ham hierarchy.
Lopetegui shares transfer promise from West Ham hierarchy
It is great news for the former Spain boss and the club’s fans.
Lopetegui says that he feels there is a decent platform left behind by Moyes.
But he insists the squad simply must be improved if West Ham want to compete for the top six.
And the club has promised to back him and Steidten to bring in the players to do just that.
As long as they keep good on their promise, Lopetegui says he envisages ‘staying at West Ham for a long time’.
The ex Sevilla and Real Madrid man also reiterated Steidten’s pledge to follow a Red Bull-esque recruitment model.
‘I believe and trust this will happen’
“We’re here to put our stamp on the history of West Ham,” Lopetegui told The Sun (Page 58, print edition, Sunday July 7).
“It’s right that you need good players to be a success.
“We have a good platform (with the players) here already and I’m sure we’ll have an even better platform by the end of pre-season.
“We’re going to have a good squad. I believe and trust this will happen.
“Then it’s about making good use of the players to become a big team…
“We need to be a club that finds players that we can make better to improve our team.”
When he was first appointed an Athletic journalist familiar with the fine details behind the new Hammers boss’ time at Wolves warned Sullivan and Steidten Lopetegui will need to be backed financially to avoid a walkout at West Ham.
It seems they are heeding that advice.
READ ALSO
West Ham dodge bullet after revelation about star Arsenal have beaten them to
Club chief slams ungrateful fans over Kilman after move
What Steidten has told Kilman is seriously exciting news for West Ham
Related Topics