“Something’s Not Right” – Henry Winter Weighs In on Lopetegui’s Future at West Ham

In his Goal Posts column (4 November), journalist Winter questioned the impact Julen Lopetegui has made since replacing David Moyes at West Ham following their 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

The defeat marked the Irons’ sixth of the season, raising concerns about the team’s discipline and direction under Lopetegui.

Edson Alvarez’s second red card of the season has only added to these worries.

Winter wrote, “What exactly does Julen Lopetegui bring? You want new managers to succeed with time and patience, but West Ham fans’ concerns are justified.

Something feels off. Where’s the urgency, pressing, and legitimate fight, rather than frustration spilling over? It’s too early to judge Lopetegui, but a penny – or Euro – for David Moyes’ thoughts.”

Lopetegui seems to be creating new issues at West Ham.

The loss to Forest—a team expected to finish well below West Ham in the table—was made worse by Alvarez’s red card, which means he’ll miss the next match.

This is a blow for a team already missing star winger Mohammed Kudus, suspended after a similar lapse that saw him sent off in a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham.

These disciplinary problems suggest a squad growing frustrated with its poor results, as moments of needless indiscipline become characteristic of Lopetegui’s tenure.

Despite the large investment in new signings—over £120 million—the team’s slow start has disappointed fans and analysts alike.

Though Moyes faced challenges in his final season, he didn’t have the same financial backing Lopetegui has received.

One might wonder, had Moyes been similarly supported, where West Ham could be now.