Exclusive: West Ham have responded to an astonishing new claim that has emerged about an approach for Edin Terzic.
When David Moyes says his final goodbyes following this Sunday’s season finale at Man City, an official announcement on Julen Lopetegui will follow in the days after.
West Ham confirmed Moyes will be leaving the club in a statement released last week.
Many expected confirmation might follow that Lopetegui will be the man to succeed Moyes at the London Stadium.
Nothing has been forthcoming since, though.
Hammers News is reliably informed – as also reported elsewhere – that no official announcement will be made on Lopetegui until the season is over, out of respect to Moyes.
We reported yesterday, though, on shock claims emerging from Germany attempting to muddy the water.
‘Terzic immediately rejected West Ham’
One of the country’s leading outlets questioned how ‘concrete’ Lopetegui’s commitment to West Ham is and suggested he could yet be lured to Bayern Munich.
It was even claimed that West Ham were still considering trying to appoint their former assistant boss Edin Terzic – who has led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final.
Then today Sport Bild claimed that West Ham recently contacted Terzic about replacing Moyes.
But the report states “Terzic immediately blocked the request”.
“Firstly, because he couldn’t use any distractions in such an important phase of the season,” the report states.
“And secondly, because he would see a move from BVB to West Ham as a step backwards.”
That would suggest Lopetegui might actually be third choice for the Hammers job rather than second choice to Ruben Amorim.
In search of some clarity we reached out to the top source inside the club on the situation.
Now West Ham have responded to the astonishing new claim about the Terzic approach.
West Ham respond on new Terzic approach claim
The key source close to the club’s owners is understandably reluctant to discuss Lopetegui given the process of respecting Moyes’ position until his departure.
But the claims about Terzic are clearly damaging not only for West Ham’s reputation but that of Lopetegui, especially in the eyes of some fans already unconvinced he is the right choice.
Well now West Ham have spoken on those claims and it has been categorically denied that Terzic was approached by the club and that he rejected the Hammers.
“That line is not true,” the West Ham spokesman exclusively told Hammers News when asked whether Terzic rejected an approach before the club turned to Lopetegui.
So there you have it West Ham fans.
Terzic was not approached before Lopetegui and he did not reject the Hammers.
Lopetegui not third choice
The actual facts regarding Moyes’ replacement seem pretty straightforward.
West Ham held talks with Ruben Amorim and – as confirmed by Spanish journalist Guillem Balague last week – Lopetegui was set to take over at Milan.
So it is fair to say Lopetegui is likely West Ham’s second choice and vice versa.
But suggestions the former Wolves boss is any lower down West Ham’s shortlist than that are wide of the mark.
Although some fans have been disappointed by the decision, many of the Hammers faithful have been warming to the idea of the Spaniard becoming the club’s 18th permanent manager in 129 years.
Balague has been doing his bit to try and educate supporters, pundits and his fellow journalists on Lopetegui.
He feels there is a lot of ill-informed opinion being spouted about the 57-year-old.
But the Spanish football expert’s new Johan Cruyff revelation will have fans dreaming.
