West Ham United’s quest for a successor to David Moyes is turning into a frustrating saga.
With Moyes’ contract expiring this summer and the patience of the fans wearing thin after the Crystal Palace drubbing, the club is struggling to find a suitable replacement.
Despite a divided fanbase regarding Moyes’ future, the London derby humiliation seems to have finally tipped the scales against the Scottish manager. However, the board has yet to make any definitive decision.
Reports of Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim holding talks with West Ham initially excited supporters. Landing the highly-rated Portuguese manager would have been a massive coup for the Hammers.
However, the excitement quickly faded into despair as reports emerged that the 39-year-old wouldn’t be taking over from Moyes this summer, leaving David Sullivan and co exploring other alternatives.
West Ham’s search has seen a wide range of names thrown into the mix, from Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira to audacious suggestions like former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Hansi Flick.
The latest report from The Guardian points to former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui as the front-runner, but West Ham could do better than the Spaniard.
Is Lopetegui an upgrade on Moyes?
Lopetegui certainly comes with an appealing CV, having worked with top clubs across the globe, including Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Porto, while also leading the Spanish national team.
However, his trophy cabinet isn’t a significant upgrade on Moyes. Both managers possess a solitary European title, with Lopetegui’s 2020 Europa League triumph with Sevilla marking the pinnacle of his achievements.
Since then, Lopetegui’s career trajectory has flattened, although his relegation rescue mission with Wolves deserves some credit, even if unsurprising.
With ten wins from 27 games (D5, L12), the Spaniard rescued Wolves from the threat of relegation, helping them to a comfortable mid-table finish.
However, Lopetegui is hardly an upgrade on Moyes. Both managers employ an identical tactical approach.
They favour a defensive, rigid system that prioritises stability over spectacle. But with the calibre of players on the West Ham roster, the fans are yearning for a more exciting brand of football.
Amorim would have offered that, but after that dream evaporated, the board must explore all available options to avoid making any knee-jerk decision that could potentially jeopardise our future.