News breaking from Italy on Monday evening will delight expectant West Ham fans as Julen Lopetegui makes his choice.
So many good things come from Italy, be it the food, wine, fashion or history.
In West Ham’s case we have Italy to thank for one of the club’s all-time greats Paolo Di Canio – and of course good old Angelo Ogbonna too.
Now more good has come West Ham’s way from Italy it seems.
Hammers fans are desperate to get excited about the club’s plans to replace David Moyes.
So far, though, Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca seem to be the only names that have captured the imagination of the fanbase.
West Ham continue to push out the “company line” that no decision will be made until the end of the season.
But a growing section of supporters are fed up with the Scot’s style of play. And West Ham have been linked with 14 managers in the last week.
The team’s pathetic record of four wins from 22 games in 2024 is hardly making a compelling case for the ownership to keep Moyes on.
Lopetegui battle fans don’t want to win
The Hammers hierarchy have held talks with Sporting boss Amorim and out of work Julen Lopetegui.
The latter is said to have impressed majority owner David Sullivan.
That prospect has not gone down too well among West Ham fans – the cynics among whom believe the fact there would be no compensation to pay is a key factor in that particular preference.
A top Wolves expert told Hammers News that supporters are right to have reservations over Lopetegui.
His style of play and philosophy have drawn comparisons with – you guessed it – Moyes. So much so some have even dubbed Lopetegui a ‘Spanish Moyes’.
Misgivings over hiring Lopetegui are not limited to the Hammers either.
Evening news will delight many as Lopetegui chooses
When it was reported Lopetegui was going to snub AC Milan for the Irons, the Italian giants’ fans were reportedly hugely relieved.
There was no lack of irony at the weekend then when we reported on claims from Italy that the situation had changed and Milan had “beaten” West Ham to Lopetegui.
This time it was many of the Hammers faithful who were relieved.
So there was dismay earlier today when The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg reported that West Ham are back in the mix to appoint Lopetegui. That came, he claimed, after the former Wolves manager’s talks with Milan stalled.
A large section of West Ham fans want a modern coach who plays exciting, progressive football that is the polar opposite to Moyes’ style.
Spaniard has informed West Ham of decision
Europe’s top leagues are now full of Pep Guardiola disciples. And playing a low block and surrendering the lion’s share of possession in almost every game is simply far too dull.
So you can forgive West Ham fans for not getting the bunting out at the prospect of Lopetegui replacing Moyes.
Now back to my earlier point about good things coming from Italy and yet another twist.
Because evening news from Italy will delight expectant West Ham fans as Lopetegui makes his choice.
According to Football Italia this evening, Lopetegui has chosen Milan.
And the 58-year-old has already informed West Ham of his decision.
Now all Milan are waiting for is the former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla boss to add his signature to a three-year contract worth £3.4m per season.