A brand new claim about Julen Lopetegui from a Sky Sports journalist will have West Ham United fans dreaming.
In theory West Ham’s big decision over who will be manager next season is down to the final three candidates.
The Hammers hierarchy and David Moyes have been towing the same party line for months now.
That no decision will be made on the Scot’s future until the end of the season.
Therefore Moyes, in theory, is in the mix.
In reality he is about to oversee his final three games as West Ham manager after four-and-a-half years at the club.
And his replacement will be either Julen Lopetegui or Ruben Amorim.
As we exclusively reported on Hammers News yesterday, journalist Graeme Bailey says majority owner David Sullivan wants to appoint out of work former Wolves boss Lopetegui.
That’s having been ‘won over’ by the Spaniard during talks.
Reports elsewhere, corroborated by Hammers News sources in a very interesting update last night, claim Tim Steidten and Mark Noble are seriously pushing for Amorim.
Amorim and Lopetegui’s contrasting West Ham receptions
The reactions which have greeted the potential appointments of Lopetegui and Amorim at West Ham have been night and day.
A large number of Hammers fans voted in favour of keeping Moyes over appointing Lopetegui. And some even set up an online protest petition against the idea.
AC Milan fans also campaigned against Lopetegui’s appointment at the San Siro and their owners responded by withdrawing the job they had offered the 57-year-old.
Amorim is more in line with what West Ham fans are craving as they change.
The young Sporting boss flew in for West Ham talks last week sparking claim and counter claim ever since.
Hammers fans have been giddy with excitement at the prospect of hiring the 39-year-old, for whom Sullivan and co would have to fork out £12.8m on a release clause.
Journalist’s new Lopetegui claim will have fans dreaming
That excitement has turned more to hope of late as speculation increased that Lopetegui is the man Sullivan – the club’s majority stakeholder – has settled on to succeed Moyes.
Such claims have not gone down well at all with Hammers fans.
But, as we told you last night, there is still a chance over Amorim.
Now a Sky Sports journalist’s brand new Lopetegui claim will have West Ham fans dreaming.
Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg is Germany’s answer to Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein.
And what he has said about Lopetegui will give West Ham fans against his appointment great hope.
Because Plettenberg claims Bayern Munich are serious about appointing the ex Real Madrid boss.
So much so director Max Eberl has contacted Lopetegui’s agent and was coy when pressed on the subject.
Bayern could force Sullivan to push for Amorim
Should Lopetegui end up at Bayern then it may force Sullivan to take Steidten and Noble’s advice and push for Amorim.
“More on our exclusive news about Lopetegui and Bayern,” Plettenberg said.
“Max Eberl inquired by phone with Lopetegui’s management on Thursday.
“Bayern initially just checked if the 57-year-old Spaniard is available. Lopetegui wants to take over a new club again. He’s on Bayern‘s list now.
“Bayern have already dealt (spoken) with him under (former directors Hasan) Salihamidzic/(Marco) Neppe.
“Eberl on Lopetegui: “I’ve never publicly discussed candidates – even if it were shortly before the announcement – and I’ll stick to that.”
If Bayern appoint Lopetegui it could save Sullivan from himself.
Going against the wishes of fans over Lopetegui is a recipe for disaster.
The first sign of a run of poor form or boring football under Lopetegui will see the pressure piled on the unwanted boss.
The unity among Hammers fans over the potential appointment of Amorim is rare. There is a level of excitement there which the owners should be embracing. He is one of the world’s brightest young coaches and could revolutionise the club.
Before yesterday it was a choice between going for Lopetegui or Amorim.
Now Bayern may take that out of West Ham’s hands.