Sacked West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been linked with a sensational return to the Premier League with Manchester United.
Julen Lopetegui said West Ham were wrong to sack him last week.
Now he might get the chance to prove it with Premier League giants Manchester United.
Yes West Ham and Man United fans, you did just read that correctly.
There was a bitter irony for West Ham when they condemned Man United to a crazy defeat earlier this season which saw Erik ten Hag sacked.
The Hammers’ late and totally undeserved 1-0 win over Manchester United that day resulted in Ten Hag being fired and Ruben Amorim being appointed.
Sacked West Ham boss Lopetegui linked with stunning comeback
The Red Devils had battered Lopetegui’s hapless side in the first half of that game and should have been at least 4-0 up.
The result earned Lopetegui a stay of execution after a torrid start to life as West Ham manager.
And it paved the way for Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford.
The bitter irony of the situation was not lost on Hammers fans who had been excited at the prospect of appointing Amorim as David Moyes’ replacement a few months before.
After high-profile talks with David Sullivan in London, that move collapsed.
Astonishing Lopetegui to Man United claim may have legs
West Ham went for experience in Lopetegui and a few months later he would be unveiled as Manchester United’s new manager.
Lopetegui reckons the Hammers fired him too soon and should have judged him in May.
West Ham disagreed with Lopetegui in response. But the owners backed the Spaniard to do well in his next job.
Now a report from Spain claims that could be at Old Trafford.
And a stunning claim about ex West Ham boss Lopetegui joining Man United may have legs.
Pressure has been mounting on Amorim with Man United sat 14th in the table, one place above West Ham by virtue of a better goal difference.
After the Red Devils were dumped out of the FA Cup at home by Fulham, the Portuguese has come under intense pressure.
Claret and Hugh have repeated claims from Spain that Lopetegui is on a three-man shortlist to replace Amorim at Manchester United.
The staggering claim is being scoffed at in Man United circles.
But it could well have substance.
Man United wanted to beat West Ham to Lopetegui
Because it is on record that INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are fans of Lopetegui.
When reports emerged that Lopetegui was being lined up as Moyes’ replacement, Hammers fans made it clear they weren’t impressed.
At the time a top West Ham board insider ran a poll online asking fans: ‘If there were only two choices, Lopetegui or Moyes, who would you prefer to manage West Ham next season?’
From nearly 5,000 votes, 56% of fans actually voted in favour of keeping Moyes.
West Ham’s then technical director Tim Steidten and sporting director Mark Noble were reportedly still pushing for Amorim.
Man United cup win sent Lopetegui West Ham’s way
It was then that Italy’s famous pink paper La Gazzetta dello Sport made a big claim that Man United were seriously considering appointing Lopetegui.
Journalist Filippo Maria Ricci had been to visit Lopetegui in his hometown in Asteasu, Spain.
And he learned some interesting information during his time with the 58-year-old – that INEOS had been in contact and Man United were considering letting Ten Hag go and appointing the ex Spain and Real Madrid boss.
So while the credibility of the Spanish source may be questioned by Man United fans, a very well respected Gazzetta journalist revealed INEOS’ admiration as far back as last May.
In the end Ten Hag won the FA Cup and Man United – it now transpires reluctantly – kept him on.
The Lopetegui link to Man United will take many by surprise.
But perhaps it shouldn’t.
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