A coach could walk straight into a Premier League manager’s job after his West Ham exit was confirmed last week.
It’s all change at West Ham following the club’s decision to part ways with David Moyes.
The Hammers have hired Julen Lopetegui as his replacement.
After much speculation Lopetegui has – as reported first by Hammers News – retained goalkeeper coach and fellow Spaniard Xavi Valero.
But eight other first team staff members have been let go.
Moyes’ assistant Kevin Nolan has spoken of his disappointment after revealing Lopetegui snubbed the chance to keep him at West Ham.
It is thought Mark Robson will be moved back to the Academy, although there has been no confirmation as yet from West Ham on that front.
He was one of the new coaches assisting Moyes in West Ham’s first team last season alongside former Dutch international John Heitinga.
Heitinga was seen as Hammers coup
When West Ham appointed Heitinga, who played under Moyes at Everton, last September it was seen as quite a coup.
He had most recently been interim head coach at Dutch giants Ajax having been in the club’s academy.
The Hammers certainly gave him big billing.
“After ending his playing days back in Amsterdam with Ajax in 2016, he remained at the club to begin his coaching career with their famed Academy, leading the Under-19 side for four years, before then stepping up to coach Jong Ajax, their reserve team,” West Ham said when appointing Heitinga.
“In January 2023, UEFA Pro Licence holder Heitinga stepped into the role of interim head coach following the departure of Alfred Schreuder and helped turn around the club’s season, winning eleven of their final 16 matches.”
Lopetegui, as with Nolan, has opted not to keep Heitinga on, though, bringing in all his own staff instead.
Coach could walk straight into manager’s job
Now the coach could land a Premier League manager’s job after his West Ham exit.
When speculation was rife that Moyes was going to be replaced, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was said to be on West Ham’s shortlist.
It was claimed financial constraints at Ipswich meant McKenna could be tempted away despite leading the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League.
Since then the Hammers have opted for Lopetegui.
And McKenna has been linked with Chelsea, Man United and Brighton.
With former West Ham assistant coach Enzo Maresca looking set to leave another promoted side Leicester for Chelsea, it seems McKenna may join Brighton.
That leaves a vacancy at Ipswich and according to Football League World, Heitinga is one of the leading contenders for the job.
“Highly regarded in coaching circles, it may only be a matter of time before he gets another job, having been in charge of Ajax last year before his dismissal,” FLW report, doubling down on claims from elsewhere.
Has Lopetegui make a mistake?
“His experience of working in the English top tier and “progressive” style of management are believed to be key reasons for the Tractor Boys’ interest…
“McKenna didn’t have senior managerial experience before he made the switch to Portman Road. And because of this, Ipswich’s board may feel Heitinga is a talented young coach who is worth taking a chance on.”
That’s quite the job to walk into but they would be big shoes to fill for Heitinga.
It’s unclear how much influence the Dutchman had at West Ham with Moyes known to be something of a control freak.
Could Lopetegui end up regretting letting Heitinga leave? Perhaps the ex Ajax man didn’t want to stay if he has the chance to become a Premier League manager in his own right?
Time will tell.