If Julen Lopetegui thought he was under pressure before wait until he hears what West Ham legend Tony Cottee has said about him.
When it comes to living West Ham legends they don’t come much loftier than Tony Cottee.
The former Hammers striker is also a lifelong West Ham fan.
So his opinion on West Ham matters carries some weight.
West Ham’s third all-time record goalscorer may not be able to help on the pitch nowadays.
But he has tried to off it by being involved in several takeover attempts – including the doomed PAI Capital bid.
Cottee has been following West Ham home and away over the last few seasons – including during the club’s European adventures.
Under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, West Ham are aiming to get back into Europe.
The Spaniard has got his Hammers tenure off to a poor start, though.
Early troubles for Lopetegui at West Ham
Lopetegui is already facing pressure from the club’s owners, media and fans.
It was claimed last week that majority owner David Sullivan effectively pulled rank to appoint Lopetegui after being impressed by the 57-year-old during his interview.
Technical director Tim Steidten, it is alleged, wanted to go in a different direction from Moyes and Lopetegui.
Whatever the truth of the matter, Lopetegui is the manager and the board backed him and Steidten with £155m on nine new signings.
The massive squad turnover of 21 players meant pre-season was rendered almost useless for Lopetegui in terms of implementing his philosophy and style.
Cottee tears into Sullivan and ‘not wanted’ Lopetegui
So the ex Spain boss is now trying to do that on fly while getting results.
But thus far the Hammers are not managing either.
It has raised big questions over Lopetegui already, just seven games in.
Most sensible fans feel it is far too soon to write Lopetegui off.
Many of the Hammers faithful have already seen enough to know he’s not for them.
Among that number is Cottee, who says he didn’t even want Lopetegui at the club in the first place.
Cottee says Lopetegui was ‘not wanted’ as he tears into the new head coach and Sullivan.
He says Sullivan has made a sideways step replacing Moyes like-for-like.
And he feels the appointment is a big mistake.
‘I just doubt Lopetegui’ says Hammers legend Cottee
“I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t want him in the first place, and I made my feelings quite clear,” Cottee said on talkSPORT.
“I’ve said all along to be careful what you wish for, and David Moyes did a superb job – even if the football wasn’t always the free-flowing football we want to see as Hammers fans.
“My problem with the appointment is that it is a sidewards step, to someone pretty much the same age, same sort of tactics as Moyes and about the same number of trophies.
“I want Lopetegui to be successful at West Ham, but I just doubt him.”
West Ham’s board and fans will be hoping Lopetegui can start to change hearts and minds soon.
Starting at Brentford on Saturday.
A win there, followed by a win at home against Ipswich would put West Ham on 10 points from seven games going into the October international break.
While still not particularly impressive, it would be a start and something to build on for the rest of the season.
