Julen Lopetegui is already making his mark at West Ham by pulling the plug on no-brainer transfer the club had lined up.
One of the reasons David Moyes found himself under increasing pressure at West Ham was their squad.
The Scot has always said he preferred working with a small squad.
So that’s exactly what he did at West Ham, putting together the smallest group of players in the Premier League, three short at 22.
Only Man City have the same number. Except theirs is two teams of world class players whereas the quality between West Ham’s first XI and back-ups is night and day.
That’s despite spending over £500m on signings in four-and-a-half years.
As a result of the lack of depth, the Hammers have struggled in the second half of the season. A chance at the top six has faded badly and Moyes finds himself out of a job after May 19th.
So before improving the football and results, Moyes’ successor Julen Lopetegui faces a major rebuild.
New boss faces major West Ham rebuild
That will be led by technical director Tim Steidten alongside the Spaniard.
And unlike Moyes, Lopetegui does not like a small squad.
He has showed in his previous roles that he is very ambitious when it comes to transfers and demands to be backed.
Speaking about his appointment at West Ham and infamous walkout at Wolves last season, Athletic journalist Tim Spiers warned the Hammers hierarchy that Lopetegui must get what he wants in terms of signings.
Spiers says that if the 57-year-old does not feel he, the owners and Steidten are on the same page and are willing to invest then there could be trouble ahead.
“He wants the remit to bring in the players that he wants, he wants a decent amount of money spent and I think (no) broken promises,” Spiers said.
Well we may well be seeing the new man throwing his weight around before he’s even been officially announced as the club’s new boss.
Lopetegui is already making his mark at West Ham by pulling the plug on a transfer they had lined up.
Lopetegui already making his mark by pulling plug on transfer
Back in February, we reported on claims that West Ham have 26-year-old defender Tosin Adarabioyo lined up as their first summer signing.
Adarabioyo is particularly attractive given he will be available on a free transfer having refused to sign a new deal at Fulham.
And just as crucially for West Ham, who likely need two new centre-backs this summer, he counts as a homegrown status player too.
Given Adarabioyo’s availability on a free, several clubs are interested. But the Hammers had a cunning plan to win the race for the 6ft 4in star – by giving him big wages and a long contract.
He won’t be signed on Lopetegui’s watch, though, it seems.
According to an exclusive from HITC, West Ham were contacted by the agents of former Man City youngster Adarabioyo check whether the club are still interested given the change of manager.
Decision leaves player ‘in shock’
The report states they were ‘shocked’ to learn that West Ham no longer want to sign the London-based star.
It is claimed the agents reached out to West Ham because the defender is set to make a decision on his next destination as early as next week.
And he was clearly interested in the move to West Ham because it is also stated he wants to join a club where first-team football would be likely.
That would certainly be the case at West Ham where veteran Angelo Ogbonna is likely to leave while Nayef Aguerd could also be sold.
Lopetegui has a reputation as being a man who very much knows what he wants when it comes to transfers.
Reports have claimed he is already working with Steidten on signings.
But his first big call has been to kick the potential Adarabioyo deal to the kerb.