There are surprise names on and missing from eight departures confirmed in a West Ham statement ahead of Julen Lopetegui’s official unveiling.
The Julen Lopetegui tenure at West Ham is about to begin and he’s making wholesale changes.
West Ham are expected to officially usher in the Spaniard with an announcement in the coming days.
Speculation has been rife about who Lopetegui might keep, let go and bring in at West Ham, both in terms of players and staff.
We know that Lopetegui has already been working with technical director Tim Steidten to identify transfer targets.
Much work is needed on that front with West Ham requiring a major rebuild this summer.
As fans await Lopetegui’s official unveiling on what we expect to be a three-year deal, attentions have turned to his staff.
Lopetegui makes sweeping changes at West Ham
Hammers News has already reported that Lopetegui was likely to bring his son Daniel on board. There have been claims of nepotism, but it was highlighted why he could be a valuable asset.
But what about the future of David Moyes’ coaching staff?
There had been hope among many Hammers fans that former captain and much-loved coach Kevin Nolan would be retained by Lopetegui.
Who might come in has been a bit easier to fathom.
Lopetegui has his own personal website. And on it he lists his “team” who he brings with him to each club.
“Soccer is a team sport,” Lopetegui says.
“I present mine to you.”
Surprise names on and missing from departures
Namely assistant manager Pablo Sanz, assistant trainer Edu Rubio, technical assistant Juanvi Peinado, performance analyst Daniel Lopetegui and physical coaches Oscar Caro and Borja De Alba.
That meant the future always looked doubtful for West Ham’s present coaching staff.
Now that has been confirmed.
There are surprise names on – and missing from – a West Ham statement on the 8 departures.
In a statement on the club’s official website West Ham have confirmed eight members of staff will be leaving as part of Lopetegui’s clear-out.
One name on the list of departures may surprise some Hammers fans. But another two names not on the list suggests they will be staying.
First-team coaches Billy McKinlay, Nolan, John Heitinga and Henry Newman have now left West Ham.
Meanwhile head of player recruitment Rob Newman will depart as well as fitness coach Nick Davies and head of performance analysis Jamie Osman.
There was also a rather surprising mention of Alan Irvine. Remember him West Ham fans?
Irvine surprise as Valero and Robson look set to stay
Moyes’ trusted right-hand man in his first spell and the start of his second at the club.
Irvine was a hugely respected figure who many felt played a major role in West Ham finishing sixth and securing Europa League football.
But Irvine left his role as assistant back in May 2021. He was said to be staying on in a technical consultancy role at West Ham.
Nobody really knew exactly what that entailed and he has not been seen and never mentioned since.
But Irvine has been included in the list of West Ham departures with the club referring to him as a “first-team technical advisor”.
Two names not on the list were first team coaches Mark Robson and Xavi Valero.
Robson was promoted from the academy earlier this season. And it seems he will be retained as he is not mentioned. It is fair to assume that might be in a role back in the academy.
Many believed Valero might stand a good chance of staying. Not least because he a Spaniard like Lopetegui and because the incoming new boss does not have a goalkeeping coach listed among his staff.
Valero came in under Manuel Pellegrini and was kept on by Moyes. Now Lopetegui could do the same thing.
Lopetegui is himself a former goalkeeper and is known to take a more involved role in the goalkeeping side of things than most managers.
So if Valero is staying, as this statement suggests, then he can expect to have his new boss taking greater interest in his work.