Paul Merson is the latest pundit to offer his thoughts on Julen Lopetegui stepping in at West Ham United, taking over from David Moyes when the Scotsman’s contract officially ends on July 1st.
Lopetegui, the 57-year-old Spaniard, wasn’t the first choice for many Hammers fans to replace Moyes. But as time has passed and I’ve dug deeper into his managerial style, I genuinely believe he could elevate West Ham to the next level.
This season at the London Stadium, Lopetegui has a monumental task ahead. With perhaps only six current players likely to be regular starters under his regime, he has a lot of work to do.
With two home defeats already this season, things aren’t looking good for the Spanish tactician at the London Stadium. However, there has been one major positive: the club’s style of play and approach has changed significantly compared to the ultra-defensive style that Hammers fans were used to seeing under David Moyes.
He’s known for his no-nonsense approach, and it’s well-documented that he’s clashed with club owners in the past due to his high demands. But that’s a trait I admire. It means David Sullivan will need to back up his promises with some serious financial support.
Lopetegui’s résumé is nothing short of impressive. With stints at Sevilla, Real Madrid, Porto, the Spain national team, and Wolves, he has the pedigree to succeed at West Ham. And now, Paul Merson has waded into the debate about the incoming Hammers manager.
Merson, who has a reputation for being a controversial pundit since his playing days ended, has once again made headlines with his latest prediction about Lopetegui. However, it’s not so much controversial as it is, in my view, uninformed.
Merson remarked: “The manager who’s coming in, he’s got experience and plays a similar way to what David Moyes does. If he stays there for 25 years, he won’t win as much as Moyes won.
“I know West Ham fans want a certain way of football, this manager won’t be any different. They’ll be shocked, they’ll be shocked. He’s like for like, and he’ll set up not to get beat first. He’s experienced and he’s been round the block. For me, under Moyes, they’ve won a European trophy, unbelievable.”
To say Merson is wide of the mark here would be an understatement. While I might hope Lopetegui adopts a cautious approach against the likes of Arsenal, it’s unthinkable he would do so against teams like Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham, and Burnley at home, as Moyes did.
Lopetegui’s tactical preferences, particularly his emphasis on playing out from the back, are fundamentally different from Moyes’ style.
Merson’s analysis appears to be based solely on watching Lopetegui’s efforts to keep Wolves out of a relegation battle. That’s a narrow view, failing to account for the broader picture of Lopetegui’s career and managerial philosophy.
It’s disheartening to see the depths to which football punditry has sunk. Thoughtful insight has been replaced by knee-jerk reactions and superficial assessments from individuals who seem to lack a deep understanding of the game.
Instead of relying on such flimsy opinions, I prefer to listen to experts like Guillem Balague, who have followed Lopetegui’s career closely and offer more informed perspectives.
In conclusion, if Lopetegui remains at West Ham for 25 years, I have no doubt he’ll surpass Moyes’ achievements, including bringing home more silverware. The potential is there, and with the right backing and time, Lopetegui could well become a transformative figure for the Hammers.