AliousWest Ham United’s new head coach, Julen Lopetegui, finds himself under increasing scrutiny, with club legend Tony Cottee adding his voice to the growing concerns. Cottee, a former striker and the club’s third all-time leading goalscorer, carries significant weight in West Ham circles not only for his on-field achievements but also as a lifelong fan who has remained closely involved with the club’s affairs.
Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham has gotten off to a rocky start, with poor performances and results already putting him under pressure from the club’s ownership, media, and supporters. The circumstances surrounding his appointment have also raised eyebrows, with reports suggesting that majority owner David Sullivan personally pushed for Lopetegui’s hiring, potentially overruling the preferences of Technical Director Tim Steidten.
The club invested heavily in the transfer market, spending £155 million on nine new signings to support Lopetegui and Steidten’s vision. However, this massive squad overhaul of 21 players has complicated the pre-season preparations, making it challenging for Lopetegui to implement his philosophy and playing style effectively.
Cottee, speaking on talkSPORT, expressed his disappointment with Lopetegui’s appointment, stating that he never wanted the Spanish coach at the club in the first place. He criticized the decision as a “sideways step,” arguing that Lopetegui’s age, tactics, and trophy record are similar to those of former manager David Moyes. Cottee believes that while Moyes may not have always delivered the most attractive football, he did an excellent job overall, and warns fans to “be careful what you wish for.”
The club legend’s doubts about Lopetegui add to the pressure on the new coach, who is struggling to win over skeptical fans. Many supporters feel it’s too early to judge Lopetegui definitively, but a significant portion of the fanbase has already expressed dissatisfaction with what they’ve seen so far.
Lopetegui now faces the challenge of turning things around quickly to change hearts and minds. The upcoming matches against Brentford and Ipswich Town could be crucial in building momentum and silencing critics. A positive run of results could see West Ham reach 10 points from seven games before the October international break, providing a foundation for the rest of the season.
As the situation unfolds, it’s clear that Lopetegui needs to demonstrate significant improvement in both performances and results to win over doubters like Cottee and secure his position at the club. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether he can overcome this early adversity and establish himself successfully at West Ham United.
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