Julen Lopetegui has a clause inserted into his contract as West Ham conceal the length of his deal as Hammers boss.
West Ham finally officially unveiled Julen Lopetegui on Thursday morning, two weeks after he signed on the dotted line.
The Hammers held off on confirmation until after David Moyes and his staff had seen the season out and departed.
Moyes was spotted for the first time in public this week since clearing out his office at West Ham.
And 57-year-old former Spain boss Lopetegui was formally introduced as his successor on Thursday morning.
Lopetegui becomes West Ham’s 18th permanent boss in the club’s 129-year history.
But he is actually the Hammers’ first “head coach” as David Sullivan and co shift to a more “European” model.
Lopetegui signs on but for how long?
Although referring to the setup as “European” is rather lazy and old fashioned given sporting directors and head coaches have been commonplace in England for some time now.
Lopetegui will be working alongside technical director Tim Steidten to rebuild West Ham.
Coveted Steidten recently committed his future to West Ham amid reported interest from Liverpool and Newcastle.
The German said he felt “euphoria” in having full control at West Ham. And that he sees the Hammers as a five-year project.
How many of those five years will be alongside Lopetegui remains to be seen.
Eagle-eyed West Ham fans will have spotted crucial information missing from the club’s official announcement about Lopetegui.
The article states the ex Wolves boss officially starts his contract on July 1st.
But it does not state how long his contract is.
Lopetegui has clause as West Ham conceal length of deal
Now more light has been cast on the particulars from behind the scenes at the club.
Lopetegui has a clause in his contract as West Ham conceal the length of his deal.
West Ham board insider Sean Whetstone says Lopetegui is believed to have only been handed an initial two-year deal with a caveat.
Because the contract has a clause by which if Lopetegui gets West Ham into any European competition within those two seasons it will automatically trigger a third year extension through to June 2027.
“West Ham have not formally revealed the length of contract of the Hammers new head coach Julen Lopetegui but have confirmed he wont officially start until 1 July so any work he does in May and June in preparation for the players return from their holidays will be for free,” Whetstone said.
“His initial contract is thought to run for two years until the end of June 2026 but if he qualifies for any European competitions in his first two seasons in charge it will automatically trigger a third year option in his contract keeping him contracted until the end of June 2027.”
Five new faces appointed
Lopetegui has appointed five coaches to his backroom staff at West Ham.
As reported by Hammers News ahead of Lopetegui’s unveiling, goalkeeping coach and Lopetegui’s fellow Spaniard Xavi Valero retains his place.
Fellow compatriots Pablo Sanz, Oscar Caro, Juan Vicente Peinado, Borja De Alba and Edu Rubio will join him the new man in charge at the London Stadium.
All five have worked with the 57-year-old previously during his impressive coaching career with FC Porto, Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Some fans – and plenty more in the media – have been underwhelmed by Lopetegui’s appointment.
But a top Sky Sports analyst says he is the perfect man to take West Ham to another level.