Craig Dawson’s comments about Julen Lopetegui in 2023 may have influenced some West Ham fans’ opinions of the Spaniard.
West Ham are reportedly negotiating a three-year contract with Julen Lopetegui to replace David Moyes as manager.
Craig Dawson has given us reason to be optimistic about the former Chelsea manager, if he is indeed named as the new Hammers boss.
Moyes is clearly done at the London Stadium following Sunday’s poor performance and subsequent 5-2 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Lopetegui has been spotted boarding a flight to London ahead of talks with Hammers owners.
West Ham fans were excited when links with Ruben Amorim surfaced yesterday, but it appears that the deal is now off (Fabrizio Romano).
So, could Lopetegui be a viable alternative to the 39-year-old Portuguese? Personally, I don’t think so, and neither do many other Hammers fans.
However, Dawson’s comments may change our minds.
West Ham fans must listen to what Craig Dawson said about Julen Lopetegui.
Since joining the Hammers from Watford in 2020, the 33-year-old has firmly established himself as a cult hero at the London Stadium.
It was a very sad day when he left us, and I really wish we still had him because he was absolutely brilliant for us.
It’s interesting to reflect on what he said about Lopetegui last year.
Back in January 2023 when Dawson signed for Wolves, the centre-back told their official website just how highly he rates Lopetegui:
“I remember it was a tough game, but one thing that stood out the most was the coach. He was stood right on the sideline and felt like another player. You could feel his passion, his love for the game there, and that was something he mentioned to me when I signed a few days ago. You could really feel his passion for the game and hopefully we can see that here. We’ve had plenty of conversations and even just training with him a few days, you can really tell he’s a top coach and I can’t wait to get down to business and keep working with him.”
Lopetegui, dubbed a’mastermind’ by the Shropshire Star, is known for his astute tactics.
I’m no fan of the Spaniard, but Dawson’s comments have given me a new perspective on the manager.
Given how highly regarded the 33-year-old defender was at West Ham, his thoughts on Julen Lopetegui will undoubtedly carry some weight.
Whether this is enough to change our minds about the Spaniard remains to be seen.
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Aondofa Vershima 
Jonathan Jonathan