Pep Guardiola delivers a damning verdict on West Ham’s London Stadium

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West Ham United’s move to the London Stadium has proved controversial and now the world’s best manager Pep Guardiola has something to say about it.

West Ham are now into their third season at the former Olympic Stadium but in truth it still doesn’t feel like home.

In fact there has been absolutely nothing to suggest it ever will be home. Not a happy one anyway.

The ground has been pretty much universally criticised by home and away supporters, pundits, West Ham legends and even opposing managers and owners.

Size isn’t everything

Everton have actually used the London Stadium move as a marker of everything they want to avoid when embarking on their own ground move.

Everything from the distance between the upper and lower tiers, the distance from the stands to the pitch, the layout of the amenities, the matchday experience, queue times, the lack of atmosphere and even the carpet which covers the running track have been the subject of fierce criticism.

The Hammers announced victory in their battle to eventually raise the capacity to 66,000.

That will make the London Stadium the second biggest in the Premier League.

Guardiola comments sting

But that will count for little if it is too easy for opposing teams to perform there.

And comments from Manchester City boss Guardiola after his side’s 4-0 win at the London Stadium are damning. They also suggest it may never be an intimidating venue for the opposition.

It was just one line in the Spaniard’s post match comments.

But it cut deep into the heart of the issue.

“”Every game is prepared in the same way, away or at home, to try to win,” Guardiola reflected on Sky Sports while admitting West Ham had good chances against his side.

“Of course we’ve had a good result here against West Ham where the pitch is big and we don’t feel the pressure from the environment or the spectators as in other, tighter stadiums.”

From Upton Park… to this

Those words will leave Hammers fans wincing.

West Ham have gone from one of the tightest, most intimidating old grounds in English football, Upton Park, to this.

The truth hurts.

However, the world’s best manager was impressed by West Ham’s supporters at least, click here to read more.