West Ham sacked Julen Lopetegui in the first few days of January, after a period which had felt like managerial death by a thousand cuts.
Since then, the Hammers have won just once in all competitions under new manager Graham Potter.
Things could yet change under the Englishman and it is clear that West Ham needed a new direction, as Lopetegui’s tenure saw them flirt with relegation at one point.
The Spaniard has now spoken to Gazzetta dello Sport and was asked about his move to West Ham, as he was initially close to joining AC Milan and it was only after that failed that he quickly pivoted to the Hammers.
He said, speaking of the Italian giants: “Milan is coming forward and I am very happy. A historic and attractive club, a championship that I have always liked and I have always followed it, [I was] fascinated by the way of understanding football as a team game.”
“Arrigo (Sacchi) has strongly stimulated my curiosity, he inspired me, I studied him and I was lucky enough to meet him.”
Speaking further about what happened during talks with the Rossoneri, Lopetegui said: “The negotiations were progressing well, then they stop suddenly. It is not up to me to indicate and comment on the reasons for the stop.”
At the time, reports in Italy made it clear AC Milan fans were strongly against their club appointing the manager. Therefore, despite everything being almost agreed and an announcement not far away, the Rossoneri pulled the plug.
That then saw Lopetegui head for London and West Ham.
Gazzetta dello Sport didn’t ask any question about the manager’s West Ham exit, and given that they’d have obviously liked to do so then the assumption must be that the subject was banned.
