West Ham were heavily linked with new England boss Thomas Tuchel before the club appointed Julen Lopetegui in the summer.
It is fair to say West Ham’s decision to appoint Julen Lopetegui was not universally welcomed by fans.
One fan poll at the time saw thousands vote in favour of keeping David Moyes over hiring Lopetegui.
Some supporters even signed up to a petition against his appointment at the London Stadium.
West Ham’s 18th permanent head coach has been dividing opinion so far.
The Hammers were always going to be a work in progress after a massive overhaul of 21 players and change of manager.
The start to the new season has been underwhelming with just two wins from seven Premier League games while the Irons were dumped out of the League Cup 5-1 by Liverpool for the second season running.
There have been improvements of late, though, notably the 4-1 win over Ipswich last time out. But tougher tests are to come, starting at Spurs this weekend.
The 57-year-old has been rather harshly labelled a ‘Spanish Moyes’ by some. What’s clear is Lopetegui did not capture the imagination like other alleged West Ham candidates.
A large section of the Hammers faithful preferred other names that were being linked.
Tuchel was on final West Ham shortlist to replace Moyes
Ruben Amorim, Paulo Fonseca and Thomas Tuchel were also reported to be on West Ham’s final shortlist in the summer.
The German had been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich.
Journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News earlier this year that people shouldn’t underestimate West Ham’s ability to lure Tuchel.
Bailey revealed West Ham’s German technical director Tim Steidten and Tuchel are good friends who had come close to working together at Chelsea.
“In a dream world he’d (Steidten) like Tuchel, who he’s close friends with, and some people would scoff as those types of links but West Ham are a huge club in London, 60,000 fans and they’ve got a squad that would appeal to a lot of people,” Bailey told Hammers News at the time.
Bailey also revealed Tuchel, who kept his house in London, was desperate to return to the Premier League this summer.
That’s something Tuchel himself confirmed on leaving Bayern.
In the end West Ham appointed Lopetegui.
Tuchel made headlines worldwide overnight by being appointed as Gareth Southgate’s successor to the Three Lions throne.
Now West Ham have lifted the lid on the truth behind those Tuchel talks as the former target is named England boss.
Debate is raging about England appointing the former PSG and Dortmund manager.
West Ham lift lid on truth behind Tuchel talks
It raised the question should West Ham have pushed harder to get Tuchel instead of Lopetegui.
Well Hammers News has spoken to the top source close to West Ham’s owners about whether the interest in Tuchel was legitimate.
It turns out it certainly was.
But the senior London Stadium contact has revealed why West Ham ultimately decided to go for their current boss instead.
The Hammers hierarchy are however backing Tuchel to be a real success with England.
“Yes he was on our shortlist,” the senior London Stadium contact exclusively told Hammers News.
“But it was too much hard work and too expensive at the time for us.
“But it must be said in cups in particular Tuchel has an AMAZING record.
“On paper it is a great pick by the FA.”
Time will tell whether West Ham made the right call.
The jury is still out on Lopetegui but he clearly needs this season to really get his house in order and implement his philosophy and approach.
Tuchel will be under much more intense scrutiny in his new job and improvements will be expected from the get go.
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