Five brilliant things spotted in a video of Julen Lopetegui’s first day at West Ham as cameras captured behind-the-scenes footage.
After weeks of speculation Julen Lopetegui was finally unveiled as West Ham’s new boss on Thursday.
According to reports Lopetegui has been lined up in the background as far back as last October.
That certainly tallies with reporting around who might replace David Moyes when he was under pressure during a dismal second half of the season.
In the end West Ham did the right thing and allowed Moyes to see out his contract.
It all got a bit messy towards the end when the Scot banned technical director Tim Steidten from being around the first team at Rush Green and the London Stadium.
That was despite the German merely doing his job by speaking to potential replacements.
Fly-on-the-wall Lopetegui footage is must-see
Much has been said about Lopetegui in the press and by some fans after it was confirmed he would be West Ham’s 18th manager in 129 years.
Not much of it has been overly positive.
West Ham’s media team has often taken a bashing from fans over the years.
But there has been a vast and noticeable improvement in their content and output in recent years.
Amid all the negativity surrounding Lopetegui’s appointment, they’ve done something very clever indeed.
They followed Lopetegui around for a fly-on-the-wall style video of the new head coach’s first 24 hours at the club.
For those with preconceptions about West Ham’s new boss, it is a must watch.
Here’s five brilliant things spotted in the video of Lopetegui’s first day at West Ham.
Presence and aura
Some have dubbed Lopetegui a ‘Spanish Moyes’ and questioned whether the 57-year-old has the kind of charisma West Ham fans were hoping for from Moyes’ successor.
Lopetegui grew up idolising his dad Jose Antonio, who made headlines long before his son in the sporting world.
Still going at the ripe old age of 94, Lopetegui’s dad was a giant of a man and a world champion strongman stone lifter. There is a famous photo showing him hoisting both of his baby daughters, one on each hand, while his young son Julen is standing next to them.
Well what comes across in West Ham’s behind-the-scenes footage is that Lopetegui – who takes something from his dad in the fact he looks in great shape for his age – has a presence and aura about him. As you watch the video you notice his confidence addressing everyone from the reception staff at Rush Green to the media team, club secretary, sporting director Mark Noble and Steidten. Every person he meets seems nervous and somewhat intimidated – but in a positive way. Nervous energy and having people eager to please and impress you is key to being a top manager.
Lopetegui reiterates several times to those he meets that he wants positive energy and passion around the place.
Those who think Lopetegui ‘doesn’t have much about him’ will soon change their mind on watching this. If anything the polar opposite is true. You can see exactly why he interviews well and ‘won over’ David Sullivan during talks.
Brilliant Steidten quip
Lopetegui showed he has a great sense of humour – and awareness – early on in the video too.
As he is being given a tour of Rush Green, Steidten takes the Spaniard into the office he was banned from by Moyes in the final two weeks of the season.
“This is my office,” Steidten tells Lopetegui as the pair are followed into the room by the cameras.
It’s just about audible but if you listen closely you hear Lopetegui make a joke about Steidten’s ban as he says: “Ah yes you had to go out from (here)” – prompting some nervous laughter from the German.
Brilliant.
Clear connection with Steidten
On the subject of Steidten, what else is abundantly clear is that he and Lopetegui already share a fabulous connection.
Ahead of his appointment, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague said Lopetegui’s relationship with the directors would be fundamental to West Ham’s success.
Well there seem to be no worries on that score.
It is reported that the pair have been working closely together on transfer targets in the background.
And the rapport they have is fantastic. Given Steidten is the man who will be heading up recruitment, it is vital he and Lopetegui are on the same page.
So witnessing the natural and close bond they already share is very reassuring indeed.
Rapport with Noble and important Kevin Keen moment
There is a wonderful moment where Hammers legend and sporting director Noble takes over part of the tour.
Showing him around the Academy, Noble and Lopetegui appear to vibe well together. Lopetegui even seems to have Noble a little nervous too.
Their rapport is clear to see as well.
And there’s a wonderful moment where Noble makes it very clear to Lopetegui just how brilliant and crucial Academy coach Kevin Keen is to West Ham.
It feels like an important moment, the sporting director letting the new man know Keen is someone fundamental to the fabric of the youth setup as Noble sings his praises.
George Earthy chance meeting
If there was one big highlight from West Ham’s pretty dismal 2024, it was George Earthy.
The young academy midfield ace scored his first goal for the Hammers in the 3-1 win over Luton.
Earthy is being tipped for big things by the likes of Moyes and Lucas Paqueta.
Lopetegui is reportedly keen to use younger players in his new-look Hammers side.
So Earthy will be keen to impress Lopetegui in pre-season. But he didn’t have to wait that long.
They say first impressions are everything and it’s safe to say Earthy made a good one.
As Noble is showing Lopetegui around, Steidten shows the new boss a picture on his phone of Earthy as a young mascot with then West Ham captain Noble.
Moments later Noble spots Earthy who has come in on his time off to continue training.
As Noble calls Earthy over to meet Lopetegui, the manager tells them to get the picture up on the phone.
And it’s the first thing he says to young George on meeting him, making for a lovely moment as the playmaker is then hailed by Nobes for coming in on his time off.
The video is well worth a watch below.