JULEN LOPETEGUI VOWS TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT AT WEST HAM
In a stunning turn of events, Julen Lopetegui has officially taken over as the new manager of West Ham, replacing David Moyes. The 57-year-old, previously in charge of Premier League rivals Wolves, has signed a two-year contract with the option for a third. Lopetegui’s arrival comes after Moyes’ mixed five-and-a-half year tenure at the London Stadium.
Under Moyes’ leadership, West Ham celebrated their first major trophy win in 43 years by triumphing in the Europa Conference League last season. However, a string of poor performances put the Scottish manager under immense pressure. In their final campaign with Moyes, West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League, narrowly missing out on a fourth consecutive season in Europe.
Expressing his excitement about the new role, Lopetegui stated, “I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club. We will try to put our stamp on the club.” The Spanish coach acknowledged the solid foundation he has inherited but emphasized his ambition to continuously improve and achieve greater success. Lopetegui’s ultimate goal is to encourage and develop the players, enhance the team’s performance, and foster a competitive spirit.
Lopetegui’s decision to join West Ham was a conscious one, as he explained, “I am where I want to be. I am here because I want to be here and for us it was a fantastic day when we closed our agreement here because our commitment is 100 per cent to be here.” Despite having other opportunities, the manager is thrilled that West Ham chose him, as he had also chosen the club. The shared enthusiasm for the new challenge is palpable, with Lopetegui stating, “We came here with the idea and the thought to make a big, big noise. That’s why we came here, and we are excited by this challenge.” He reassured the fans that their support will be crucial in the team’s future accomplishments.
Lopetegui brings a wealth of experience to West Ham, having previously managed top-tier teams such as Spain, Real Madrid, and Sevilla. During his time at Sevilla, he secured the Europa League title, and he has also enjoyed success with Spain’s youth squads. With his extensive knowledge of the game and winning mentality, Lopetegui is poised to lead West Ham to new heights.
West Ham United have announced the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new manager. The Spaniard has signed a two-year deal with the club and will officially take over on June 1. Lopetegui’s appointment has been welcomed by West Ham Joint-Chair David Sullivan, who believes it will help the club continue its positive progress in recent seasons. The club has been working behind the scenes to shape the right strategy for its future and is excited to bring Lopetegui’s coaching ability, experience, and personality to the team. Lopetegui will be joined at the club by coaches Pablo Sanz, Oscar Caro, Juan Vicente Peinado, Borja De Alba, and Edu Rubio.
Reflecting on his time at West Ham, former manager David Moyes expressed his satisfaction with the progress made during his tenure. Moyes joined the club when they were just above the relegation zone and has since led them to three consecutive seasons in Europe. He thanked the players for their support and the success they have achieved over the last four and a half years.
