AC Milan may be about to really embarrass West Ham over the call to appoint Julen Lopetegui as the club’s new manager.
West Ham will unveil Julen Lopetegui as the 18th permanent manager in the club’s history next week.
The Spaniard signed what we are led to believe will be a three-year deal last Wednesday evening.
Confirmation that Lopetegui will succeed David Moyes is being held until Monday or Tuesday out of respect to the departing Scot.
His 57-year-old replacement has not been a universally popular choice among fans, though.
Other names were more appealing to Hammers supporters such as Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca – who were both on the club’s final shortlist.
Lopetegui has been out of a job, by choice we’re told, since leaving Wolves on the eve of this season last August.
An increasing number of pundits, journalists and former West Ham players and coaches have warned the hierarchy and supporters to ‘be careful what they wish for’.
Serious doubts cast over West Ham call
Stan Collymore was the latest to question the decision, telling West Ham there are far better options out there.
Lopetegui may not have been the first choice for many West Ham fans.
Indeed he may not have even been the number one pick for the Hammers’ owners either.
Those now infamous talks with Amorim weeks ago suggest that may well have been the young Portuguese boss.
But make no mistake, West Ham were not Lopetegui’s first choice either.
In fact they definitely weren’t.
We previously reported that the Spaniard had been left in ‘shock and disbelief’ after AC Milan pulled the plug on appointing him.
Lopetegui had been in talks with the Italian giants for six months since leaving Wolves.
Milan planned to appoint West Ham’s new manager to replace Stefano Pioli on a three-year contract.
But an angry protest from Milan’s ultras saw the club’s hierarchy change their mind.
While Lopetegui did have a preference to continue in the Premier League, he was said to be excited at the prospect of taking over a prestigious club like Milan.
Speaking up in defence of his compatriot, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague claimed Milan will regret letting Lopetegui join the Hammers.
But it could be the other way around if anything.
Milan may embarrass West Ham over Lopetegui
Milan may be about to really embarrass West Ham over their Lopetegui call.
Journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News that Lopetegui was the man Sullivan has settled on having been ‘won over’ during a meeting with the Spaniard.
With so many questions marks over Lopetegui could West Ham be filled with regret by news emerging from Italy overnight.
Because after ditching Lopetegui, Milan are now reportedly on the verge of appointing Fonseca.
According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan made new contact with Lille boss Fonseca on Friday.
The interest is mutual and Romano says he is now in line to take over the Italian giants.
“AC Milan have made new contact in the recent hours with Paulo Fonseca,” Romano said.
“Fonseca wants the job and talks are progressing well, waiting for club’s decision to proceed with contracts.
“He’s attracted by Milan project, ready to advance to final stages if all goes to plan.”
Could Italians fill Hammers with regret?
Given Fonseca was reportedly in West Ham’s final four to replace Moyes, this will surely cast doubt in the minds of some.
Not that Milan get everything right when it comes to managerial decisions of course.
If Lopetegui does not work out then people will come back to this sliding doors moment.
West Ham have decided to to press ahead with Lopetegui’s appointment despite Milan’s reservations only for the Italians to then hire another manager on Sullivan’s shortlist who was more appealing to many of the club’s fans.
Supporters have to trust Sullivan’s judgement on this one because he has actually interviewed Fonseca before – in 2018.
So the Hammers’ majority owner has sat in a room with both Fonseca and Lopetegui.
And clearly the latter has made a better impression.
Let’s hope he can hit the ground running next season. But West Ham fans will almost certainly have one eye on how Fonseca gets on at Milan.
Especially after he won many of them over when the video below did the rounds on social media.
READ ALSO
Cafe owner who supports Arsenal gets brilliant response from West Ham star
West Ham owners Kretinsky and Sullivan rocket up Rich List
Leeds give West Ham serious hope of landing top star Steidten wants
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
