Rumours are swirling that Edin Terzic may be in line to replace Julen Lopetegui as West Ham United’s head coach, according to sources like Fabrizio Romano. For many of us Hammers fans, this might initially feel like a welcome change, especially after an underwhelming start from Lopetegui.
However, a closer inspection of Terzic’s track record suggests that he may not offer anything different, particularly if one scratches below the surface to look at the reaction of Bundesliga fans.
Terzic, once an assistant under former Hammers boss Slaven Bilic, did lead Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final—a decent enough achievement on paper and of course he won the German cup as Martin pointed out last night. But Dortmund fans have voiced serious concerns over his tactical approach and accused him of bottling not one but two league titles.
Much like David Moyes, Terzic has been criticised for a passive, defence-oriented tactics which don’t get the best out of his attacking players. He often relies on overloading the midfield without creating clear opportunities and in a frighteningly similar comparison to Lopetegui he is accused of possession for the sake of it without hurting the opposition.
Moreover, Dortmund’s talented young players—Youssoufa Moukoko, Gio Reyna, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Karim Adeyemi—struggled to thrive under Terzic. This lack of player development is alarming considering the young academy talent waiting to break through.
Uncanny similarities to Lopetegui
Concerns were also raised about Terzic’s inability to challenge Bayern Munich in a season where they looked vulnerable, allowing Bayer Leverkusen to leapfrog instead. This missed opportunity seems unlikely to be quickly forgotten by Dortmund fans who remain highly critical of his time at the club.
In addition, Terzic reportedly lost the dressing room at Dortmund. High-profile players like our own Niclas Füllkrug, Julian Brandt, Gregor Kobel, and Mats Hummels openly questioned his tactics in interviews. Internal rows and excuses from the manager about players not adhering to his game plan stirred frustration, eroding unity within the squad – sound familiar?
For those of us who are longing for a manager who can inspire exciting, attacking football at West Ham, Terzic might not be the answer. While Lopetegui has his critics, the Hammers could be stepping sideways—or even backward—by bringing in another manager whose conservative style doesn’t align with our hopes for a more vibrant, forward-looking team.
Personally, I’d prefer Andoni Iraola or Marco Silva but both would be wise to remain where they are given their clubs structured and measured progression behind the scenes.
