West Ham United are planning a big unveiling on Julen Lopetegui’s first official day in the job at Rush Green this week.
It’s all change for West Ham this summer from manager to staff, players and even the club’s training ground.
The Hammers have a new boss in the shape of Julen Lopetegui after four-and-a-half years under David Moyes.
The Spaniard has been working closely with technical director Tim Steidten on the major rebuild needed at West Ham this summer.
Players who have not been on international duty since the end of last season will return for pre-season training on Wednesday.
So it promises to be pretty quiet for Lopetegui’s first official day in the job given five players have left the club as free agents.
New season, new manager, new players, new era for Hammers
There will be no Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, Alphonse Areola, Michail Antonio, Lucas Paqueta or Jarrod Bowen due to participation in the Euros and Copa America.
Indeed Alvarez won’t be back training at Rush Green until nearer the start of the season due to his hamstring injury suffered with Mexico.
Hammers star boy Mohammed Kudus played World Cup qualifiers for Ghana at the start of June so will not be back just yet unless he chooses to return early.
West Ham will have two new faces for Lopetegui’s first day after the signings of Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham.
It looks like plans to have four signings in place for the start of pre-season have proved a touch ambitious on West Ham’s part, though.
However, there will be one big reveal to look forward to on Lopetegui’s first day “in office”.
Because West Ham plan an unveiling on Lopetegui’s first day at Rush Green.
West Ham plan unveiling on Lopetegui’s first day
Hammers News has had it confirmed that the club will unveil it’s new home kit to coincide with the start of pre-season training.
Last month we reported on the alleged new home kit being leaked online.
A large number of West Ham fans were far from impressed with what they saw.
And their mood was not improved when the away kit was leaked too featuring a red Umbro logo of which supporters have been very critical.
Now supporters will get to see the real thing as West Ham plan to launch it on their website for pre-order at around 8/9am on Wednesday.
Lopetegui is due to go in front of the press for the first time as Hammers boss later today.
New home kit launches Wednesday
When his players return for day one of pre-season they will undergo stringent tests, scans and assessments including cardiac screening.
That will check heart rhythm while blood tests and weight and body fat measurements will also be taken.
Lopetegui and his all-new staff – bar goalkeeper Xavi Valero who retains his position – will then put the players through fitness and power tests in the gym.
The training ground has had some upgrades too. Back in March West Ham confirmed to Hammers News that £5m was being spent on Rush Green again this summer.
Meanwhile club insider Sean Whetstone has confirmed Lopetegui is likely to take his squad on a 10-day warm-weather training camp, possibly to the Algarve before West Ham head to Florida for a pre-season tour.
The Hammers will round off pre-season with the Betway Cup friendly against Celta Vigo at the London Stadium on August 10th.
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