With so many words spoken by new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui during his recent press conference, it was easy to miss some of the smaller details.
As a football fan, it’s only natural to focus on the big headlines and talk of transfers, and his double act with Tim Steidten certainly provided plenty of those. However, as is usually the case, the devil is in the detail.
Whilst delivering his big messages to the assembled media, Lopetegui carried an air of confidence which could be a vital asset for the club. It wasn’t lost on me just how good a communicator and motivator the Spaniard appears to be. So it stands to reason that if he can impress a hall full of journalists without even really trying, he can certainly do the same in a room full of footballers.
One of the most impressive aspects of Lopetegui’s messaging was his refusal to accept that West Ham are here just to make up the numbers. It was quite clear, hearing him speak, that the new Hammers head coach fully intends to give some of the big clubs a bloody nose.
Lopetegui not here to mess about
One could tell from the way he spoke about West Ham’s first match against Aston Villa that he was not only excited but also confident of victory. The former Real Madrid boss had the demeanour of a man who feels he should be managing a big team in a large stadium.
Lopetegui carries himself impressively; he manages to convey both authority and likeability at the same time, which is a tough balance to pull off. Although we only got to see a snippet of his character in his inaugural West Ham press conference, it bodes well for the future.
I am certain that after a few days of training with the players, Lopetegui will inject a will to win and a belief in his West Ham squad. The Spaniard appears to want victory rather than seeking to avoid defeat, and that in itself is refreshing.
Lopetegui can certainly talk the talk. It remains to be seen if he can put his words into practice, but if West Ham do fail, it won’t be due to a lack of confidence.
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