The national press has been reporting that Julen Lopetegui is ‘infuriated’ with West Ham after events leading up to his sacking.
Julen Lopetegui was finally put out of his misery by West Ham as the club announced his departure after 48 hours of speculation.
The Hammers said in a statement that Lopetegui had failed to meet their expectations in the first half of the season.
As a result West Ham felt they had no choice but to make Lopetegui’s tenure the shortest of any permanent Hammers boss in history.
The press and fans have been critical of the owners for the way they have handled Lopetegui’s departure.
Captain Jarrod Bowen did add a touch of class to proceedings when he became the first – and at the time of writing only – West Ham player to send a farewell message to Lopetegui on Wednesday night.
There have been claims the Spaniard is furious with the way he has been treated.
Lopetegui speaks out after West Ham sacking and it’s pure class
That’s despite being given several reprieves when West Ham fans have been calling for his head.
One thing that has become clear is Lopetegui was the wrong hire.
The 58-year-old failed to capture the imagination of fans before or after his appointment.
It showed on the pitch and the stands.
West Ham won just six of their 20 Premier League games under him.
And long before the final whistle in nearly half his games as boss, Hammers fans left hammerings en masse.
West Ham fans aimed chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ towards Lopetegui at the Etihad during a 4-1 defeat at the weekend.
They were four days out as it happened with the Hammers confirming Lopetegui and his staff have been relieved of their duties after just 192 days in charge.
It’s been speculated that Lopetegui will reveal all about the goings-on at West Ham following his axing.
Lopetegui thinks sack came ‘too soon’ but thanks Hammers
Now Lopetegui has spoken out after his West Ham sacking and it’s pure class.
Taking to social media, the former Real Madrid and Spain boss, spoke with great dignity and respect about his time at the club and the fans.
Lopetegui says he feels he has been let go too soon and could have made things right.
But he thanked West Ham for the opportunity and finished with ‘Once a Hammer, always a Hammer’.
“Thank you to West Ham for the opportunity to manage this great club over the past six months,” Lopetegui said.
“We are leaving with a sense of sadness, feeling it was too soon and that we were in position to still achieve our goals, especially after overcoming challenging situations and with a promising entire second half of the Premier League ahead.
Lopetegui: ‘Once a Hammer, always a Hammer’
“Thank you to the players for their commitment and hard work, and to all the staff at the training ground, who are truly high class.
“You made us feel at home, operating at an extraordinary level, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts.
“Thank you also to the fans, who have shown unwavering support through every high and low.
“I wish West Ham nothing but success in the future. Once a Hammer, always a Hammer.”
The way Lopetegui put West Ham first before and after losing his father deserves special respect.
Football is secondary when it comes to family and health.
For Lopetegui to put West Ham above those things recently by leading the team when he could have been by his dying father’s side during his final days is beyond admirable.
To then come straight back from Jose Antonio Lopetegui’s funeral to take the team against Brighton should not be forgotten regardless of his failings on the pitch.
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