West Ham United showed the door to Julen Lopetegui this week and Graham Potter was giving his first Hammers press conference within 24 hours of the announcement.
More had been expected from Lopetegui, especially after Tim Steidten had brought in a number of players during the summer transfer window.
Things didn’t go according to plan and West Ham currently find themselves 14th in the Premier League. That’s obviously not where they want to be but it’s worth pointing out they’re on equal points with Manchester United, ahead of Crystal Palace who finished last season superbly, and just a single point behind Tottenham Hotspur.
It was inevitable that someone in the Spanish media would come out to defend Lopetegui, especially given the way his exit and Potter’s arrival played out.
Saturday’s edition of AS carries a column from Aritz Gabilondo. The journalist is clearly unhappy with the way things have been dealt with at West Ham and has something of a warning for the club going forward.
The specific snippet is titled ‘betrayal’ and reads: ‘This week Lopetegui left West Ham. It had been brewing, but the way it was done was horrible. The sporting director, who is supposedly being removed, negotiated with other coaches and the owner, with whom Julen had a friendly meeting the day before, gave in. It does not speak well of his conduct. The problem at that club, believe me, is not the coach.’
