Having been shown the door by West Ham, Julen Lopetegui has had a couple of months to process, reflect, mourn the loss of his job and now hopefully move on from his time at London Stadium.
The Spaniard gave a couple of interviews last week with som fairly bitter comments evident- he still sees himself the victim in an unfair situation with the club pretty much where it was supposed to be when he was fired.
Reported today in sportwitness.co.uk, Lopetegui is in the frame for a new job on another continent: South American sideMonterey are interested, apparently, in appointing him head coach of the Mexican side.
This could have very welcome repercussions for West Ham if it means Lopetegui’s contract ‘compensation’ payments from West Ham can cease when he takes his new job. Last time Lopetegui was interested in the Belgium International Manager job he had a meeting with West Ham, seeking an amicable agreement whereby he could keep receiving his West Ham compensation once employed again.
According to sport witness:
“Monterrey are looking to replace Demichelis, and the former West Ham manager is the top candidate. Last month, they signed Sergio Ramos, who has previously played under his compatriot for Spain and Real Madrid.
Ramos is influencing his current club’s decision to appoint the Spaniard. Monterrey like Lopetegui and the report states they already held contacts, and the talks are intensifying in recent days.
Lopetegui would be ready to accept the Monterrey job if they were to make a good offer.”
Now IF Lopetegui does get the job, we will check the exact situation with our source inside the club on West Ham’s requirement to keep paying compensation.
Millions of pounds in the mix that might – or might not – need to be paid out. In any case, as a thoroughly decent man, let us keep our fingers crossed that J’Lo is successful.