Majority owner David Sullivan has been told what simply must happen to avoid a Julen Lopetegui walkout at West Ham.
If there is one thing consoling West Ham fans questioning the appointment of Julen Lopetegui it is his principles.
Many Hammers supporters remain undecided on David Moyes’ incoming successor.
But they’d better get used to it. Because it’s happening with talkSPORT claiming the deal was going to be signed last night.
Some among the West Ham faithful have warmed to the idea of hiring the Spaniard after learning more about Lopetegui since it became clear he will become the club’s 18th permanent manager in 129 years.
Fans have been somewhat comforted by the fact Lopetegui seems to be a man of genuine substance.
Guillem Balague has revealed Lopetegui turned down a £60m-per-year salary in Saudi to wait for this opportunity.
Lopetegui a man of substance and principle
And it was already widely known that Lopetegui walked out on Wolves last August over broken promises regarding spending and ambition.
That has been viewed as a positive by many with fans feeling it proves he will push West Ham’s owners to invest in the team.
It is seen as further proof has Lopetegui’s principles and drive.
On the flip side it has also been seen a potential powder keg working alongside David Sullivan with technical director Tim Steidten leading recruitment.
After four-and-a-half years of stability – and relative tranquillity for the board – under Moyes, the last thing West Ham need is their new manager throwing a hissy fit and walking out as he did at Molineux.
Well in that case the owners and Steidten should heed some advice from an Athletic journalist who knows all about the news Hammers boss’ time at Wolves.
Sullivan told what simply must happen to satisfy Lopetegui
Sullivan has been told what needs to happen to avoid a Lopetegui walkout at West Ham.
Speaking on The Athletic FC podcast, journalist Tim Spiers says it is simply vital Lopetegui is backed financially with players he wants.
And Lopetegui must also feel he is listened to by Steidten and Sullivan with everyone signing from the same hymn sheet.
Spiers says if he isn’t backed with transfers or West Ham break promises, there could be trouble.
“A lot of it (whether West Ham progress under Lopetegui) is going to depend on smart recruitment to be honest,” Spiers said.
“That’s what he had at Sevilla with Monchi and that’s what led them to greater heights.
“But if you look at West Ham’s net spend over the past five years they’re like eighth in the table, if you look at their current wage bill they’re like eighth highest wage bill. And lo and behold, what are they ninth in the table? They are where they are…
What Lopetegui wants at West Ham
“It’s going to be about smart recruitment of players who fit Lopetegui’s style of football. The right age range, the right motivation and career points…
“It’s all got to be about how he gets on with those around him and about the sporting director and the recruitment team all being on the same page and working together in tandem to produce the best team to suit his style of football.
“It sounds easier than it ultimately is, but that’s what they’ve got to do…
“An important point to make is what he wants from the club he’s joining. This is why he turned down Crystal Palace, this is why he walked away from Wolves – he wants the remit to bring in the players that he wants, he wants a decent amount of money spent and I think (making sure there are no) broken promises is probably fair enough in terms of where he was when he went into Wolves.
“He thought he was joining a club that was looking to get back into Europe and pretty quickly I would guess. Instead their books were hugely imbalanced, they needed to generate around £100m in sales that summer… it was a fire sale… Yea it doesn’t look great that he walked out on the eve of a season but I think he was kind of thinking he’s swapped a team that had finished fourth in La Liga three times in a row for one that was 20th in the Premier League. He didn’t do that to be fighting relegation battles season after season.”
You can hear more from Spiers and fellow Athletic journalist David Ornstein in the video below.
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