One look through Julen Lopetegui’s managerial career shows he has always been a man who believes in his own ability.
It is fair to say not many shared Julen Lopetegui’s self-confidence when he was appointed by West Ham.
Many Hammers fans felt he was the wrong choice to succeed David Moyes.
Media reaction was scathing too.
So much so Hammers News compiled an article listing the pundits, journalists and ex West Ham players who had questioned or criticised Lopetegui’s appointment.
They looked like being proved right as the Spaniard’s tenure started in underwhelming fashion.
The Irons won just one of their first six Premier League games.
And they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool for the second successive season by the same 5-1 scoreline.
It has not just been results that have raised doubts over Lopetegui at West Ham, though.
Performances had lacked any clear identity or discernible style.
West Ham fans had been hoping for – and expecting – a high energy, pressing and attacking approach.
After all that is why many wanted a change from Moyes.
There had been little evidence of that and early pressure piled on the 57-year-old as he was labelled ‘just a Spanish Moyes’.
Much of that frustration stemmed from his use of the club’s glut of summer signings.
Lopetegui thinks he’s proved West Ham fans wrong
The Hammers spent £155m on nine new players sparking major excitement about what would be possible this season.
But the head coach sucked that anticipation out of the start of the season by drip-feeding the new signings into the team.
Now Lopetegui thinks he’s proved West Ham fans wrong as the club celebrate internally.
Things changed in the home game against Ipswich. It felt like something of a watershed moment for the new boss and the team.
A 4-1 win has breathed hope and life into the Lopetegui tenure.
It also saw the “arrival” of star summer capture Jean-Clair Todibo.
Technical director Tim Steidten beat Juventus to the signing of the 24-year-old French centre-back.
But he had to wait nearly two months to get his first Premier League start at Brentford.
A decent display was followed up by a man of the match performance from Todibo against Ipswich.
Alongside fellow outstanding new signings Max Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, suddenly West Ham look like they have the makings of a proper team.
Especially with their forward players finally hitting some form.
Hammers celebrating internally over Todibo coup
Now it has emerged that Lopetegui thinks he’s been vindicated for his much-criticised approach.
And inside West Ham there are celebrations over the capture of Todibo.
GiveMeSport claim sources have revealed to them that Lopetegui feels his careful integration of the former Barca defender has been justified.
“West Ham United believe Jean-Clair Todibo will become an integral part of Julen Lopetegui’s side, sources have revealed, with the manager delighted with the player’s progress after having left him out of the team early in the season…” the report states.
“Sources close to the club say he will become an integral part of the side moving forward, and are convinced their significant financial investment in the player will prove to be an astute piece of business.”
Todibo was the standout star in the win over Ipswich.
His performance made a real statement that he can establish himself among the Premier League’s elite centre-backs.
The Hammers need that belief and confidence. So it’s good to hear.
However, one swallow does not a summer make.
There will be tougher tests to come – starting next week away at bitter rivals Spurs.
If Todibo and West Ham maintain those performance levels there, then the club can really start to believe they can challenge to get back into Europe.
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