Julen Lopetegui is in no mood to mince his words amid claims of unrest at West Ham following the death of his father.
Things have been put sharply into perspective at West Ham in the last two weeks.
Unbeknownst to fans, Julen Lopetegui was putting the Hammers first despite his dad Jose Antonio being in his final days.
The fact it came after Michail Antonio’s awful car crash and the death of young Academy starlet Oscar Fairs, compounded a sense of grief around West Ham.
Yet still stories of unrest in the Hammers camp have persisted.
Niclas Fullkrug has been moaning about his move to West Ham this week.
In an interview which showed a startling inability to read the mood around the club, the German has not had a good word to say about his decision to join West Ham.
Then there’s the situation with fellow summer arrival Jean-Clair Todibo.
Lopetegui has confirmed he had a bust-up with the French defender at half-time against Arsenal.
Lopetegui not at West Ham to be friends with players amid unrest
It is alleged, remarkably, that Todibo punched Lopetegui.
The 24-year-old has barely been seen since with the latest line being he’s got a sore toe.
Todibo is one of five players, including Fullkrug, who allegedly want out of West Ham if Lopetegui remains manager.
Edson Alvarez, another new signing Guido Rodriguez and Mohammed Kudus are said to be the others.
It has been clear for all to see Kudus has little respect for Lopetegui.
He ranted at the manager for all to see as he was subbed against Wolves.
The pair had a big bust-up at Brentford and now rumours abound Kudus could be sold in January.
Lucas Paqueta appeared to change the narrative when he made a beeline for Lopetegui to celebrate his goal against Bournemouth.
The Brazilian hugged his manager – with some teammates caught on camera looking on in bemusement.
The reason for Paqueta’s gesture would become clear as news came in the next day that Lopetegui’s dad had passed away.
That Lopetegui sacrificed spending his dad’s last day of life by his side to lead West Ham against Bournemouth has earned him the respect of fans – regardless their stance on him as a manager.
But for the ex Spain boss, it’s not about being pally with his squad.
Lopetegui opens up on ‘honest’ player relations
Lopetegui says he’s not at West Ham to be friends with players amid unrest claims.
The Hammers boss was asked what the embrace from Paqueta meant to him after the goal at Bournemouth.
It was a clear nod to the reports of unrest in the camp without directly saying it given the circumstances.
He was brutally honest in his response.
“All of the players have to show and to feel that they can be very, very important and trigger players whether they are in the starting line-up,” Lopetegui said in his press conference.
“I try to enjoy my relations with all the players. I try to be honest with them knowing that I am never going to be their friend or their brother. No, I am their coach.
“But in the same way I have respectful relations, very honest relations (with the players). I am very happy with the behaviour and commitment that they have, above all, to be able to created a strong group, which is the first step to create a good team, to be a strong group.
“All of them they have a big commitment in their daily work and this kind of attitude will help us to be a better and better team in the next weeks.”
Interesting comments from the boss.
He has made it clear he cares little what players think of him and is focused on what’s good for the team.
It seems something will have to give in the coming windows with regards several players, though, if Lopetegui remains at the club.
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