When West Ham hired Julen Lopetegui they knew he was demanding after what happened at Wolves, now they’re seeing it first hand.
Given the start he has made to life at West Ham, you might expect Julen Lopetegui to be keeping a low profile.
Instead the under pressure 57-year-old has jetted back to Spain reportedly in the misguided belief his job as Hammers boss is safe.
Before he left for home with a big grin about getting away from West Ham for a few days, Lopetegui played a dangerous game.
He threw technical director Tim Steidten under the bus by stating he cannot implement his style of football with the players he has.
After a £155m spend in the summer that will be ringing alarm bells in the boardroom.
Reports have claimed a meeting will be held between majority owner David Sullivan and Steidten about Lopetegui’s future this week.
It will be discussed how long the Spaniard should be given to turn things around.
With games against Newcastle and Arsenal after the international break, things look bleak.
If there was one thing consoling West Ham fans who were underwhelmed by the appointment of Lopetegui, it was his principles.
Lopetegui makes unbelievable demand of West Ham owners
It was already widely known that Lopetegui walked out on Wolves last August over broken promises regarding spending and ambition.
That was viewed as a positive by many with fans feeling it proves he would push West Ham’s owners to invest in the team.
It was seen as proof of Lopetegui’s principles and drive.
On the flip side it was also been seen a potential powder keg working alongside Sullivan with technical director Steidten leading recruitment.
Now it feels like a timebomb is ticking on that powder keg.
That has not stopped West Ham’s head coach bullishly asking for more, though.
Lopetegui has made an unbelievable demand of the West Ham owners but it makes perfect sense.
Caught Offside have exclusively claimed Lopetegui is telling Steidten and co he wants them to sign Tariq Lamptey from Brighton in January.
Given the Hammers have just spent £15m on Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer, a claim that Lopetegui now wants another right-back is very strange indeed.
On the surface at least.
The report says Brighton will listen to offers for Lamptey in January because he is out of contract in the summer and has no intention of signing a new deal.
It is one thing that Lopetegui is bold enough to make such a demand given the uncertainty over his future.
But why on earth would he want to sign another right-back?
Hammers boss wants Lamptey but it makes perfect sense
Surely he has not given up on Wan-Bissaka – who has been criticised by some fans and was hauled off in the draw with Everton – already?
As bizarre a priority as it may sound given West Ham’s issues up front and in midfield, signing Lamptey could be a masterstroke.
Lopetegui clearly isn’t planning to sign rapid Lamptey to replace Wan-Bissaka in the starting XI.
The man who should be worried is Emerson Palmieri.
The left-back has been blowing hot and cold all year – like many Hammers stars.
Emerson has been particularly disappointing this season.
West Ham would have rapid and interchangeable duo
He has regularly been substituted by Lopetegui, who has switched Wan-Bissaka to the left on several occasions.
And it worked well too.
So his demand of a move for Lamptey actually makes perfect sense.
The Ghana international can play right or left-back and at wing-back too.
Lopetegui’s entire strategy is built around pacy wingbacks flying forward. It always has been.
Wan-Bissaka and Lamptey would be among the quickest fullbacks in the top flight.
They would be interchangeable too, offering even more flexibility.
At 24, Chelsea academy graduate Lamptey is also a great age. He would likely welcome a return to London as the report claims he wants to stay in the Premier League.
A ballsy demand from Lopetegui but one which makes more sense than you might initially think.
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