Kaveh Solhekol has lifted the lid on how long West Ham are giving incoming new manager Julen Lopetegui to prove himself.
They say time waits for no man but how long will it wait for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham?
That is the big question in light of some unrest at the prospect of the Hammers hiring the Spaniard.
A growing number of West Ham fans have long since felt it was time to part ways with David Moyes.
It has almost always been a trade off between style and substance with Moyes at West Ham.
There is no denying the Scot plays a risk averse, defensive style of football.
His tactics and philosophy focuses more on stopping the opposition than how his own team can hurt them.
So when Moyes’ tactics stopped getting results, questions were always going to be asked.
That has certainly been the case since the turn of the year – and for much of last season in the Premier League too.
Just four wins in 23 games for West Ham thus far in 2024 tells its own story.
New West Ham boss under pressure from the off
As does conceding 70 goals – the most the Hammers or any Moyes team has ever shipped in a Premier League season.
West Ham are 17th in the form table this year and there have been no signs of improvement.
With the decision made on the manager, all eyes have turned to what Lopetegui might bring.
The 57-year-old is not a universally popular choice. Many West Ham fans do not feel he is the modern, innovative, attack-minded coach to take the team to a new level.
Ruben Amorim, Paulo Fonseca and Thomas Tuchel were preferred candidates for a lot of supporters.
Some have warmed to the idea of Lopetegui, though, with varying accounts forthcoming from more informed observers of the job he has done at his previous clubs and the Spanish national side.
But there is no denying Lopetegui will be under pressure at West Ham from the start.
Not only to get results but play a better brand of football.
Solhekol on how long Lopetegui has to prove himself
So how long will the ex Real Madrid man get to make his mark?
Well Sky Sports’ chief reporter says he has been told.
Kaveh Solhekol has lifted the lid on how long West Ham are giving Lopetegui to prove himself.
In a report on the situation on Sky Sports, Solhekol – who counts majority owner David Sullivan among his close contacts – says West Ham will not judge Lopetegui until after his first season in charge.
And the club are urging fans to show patience by doing the same.
“Moyes is set to be succeeded by ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui and West Ham want the decision to replace Moyes to be judged in 12 months,” Solhekol has revealed.
“West Ham’s appointment of Julen Lopetegui looks a smart move. This is a coach with Premier League experience but someone eager to show what he can do with greater resources.
“At West Ham, he finds a club keen to embrace a new way.”
Lopetegui will be just the 18th permanent manager in West Ham’s 129-year history.
Fans must see better football
The Hammers have never been a club to flit from one boss to the next.
Sullivan and co will dearly hope that won’t start now.
It must be remembered Moyes was backed on several occasions when – as he even admitted himself – managers at other clubs would have found themselves out of a job.
Hammers fans will back him Lopetegui from the start. They are a knowledgeable bunch and east enders are good like that.
The last thing West Ham fans want is the “careful what you wish for” mongers to be changing their tune to “I told you so”.
But if there is not a distinct, noticeable change in the way West Ham play and approach games then supporters will start to ask questions of Lopetegui and the ownership.
