“Not another Mistake after Moyes sack” David Sulivan Lopetegui recent succssor option will leave the HAMMERS fans frustrated and Dilemma… what’s he thinking of?
David Moyes managed 261 games for West Ham, with a points-per-match (PPM) average of 1.19 during his first tenure and 1.53 in his second. Despite winning the UEFA Conference League in the 2022/23 season, West Ham’s ninth-place finish prompted the club to make a change and bring in Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui’s Start at West Ham
So far, Lopetegui’s tenure has been challenging. West Ham currently sit 15th in the Premier League after eight games, with two wins, two draws, and four losses. The team has conceded 15 goals while scoring 11 and holds an average of 45.1% possession.
Under Lopetegui, West Ham have faced an average of 15.5 shots per game, a slight improvement from the 17.2 shots they allowed under Moyes last season. However, the Spaniard is attempting to shift the team’s style to focus more on possession and playing out from the back, a significant change from Moyes’ more counter-attacking approach.
Now, the West Ham board must consider whether to part ways with Lopetegui and seek a new manager to steer the team in a different direction.
Thomas Frank as a Potential Replacement
Dougie Critchley, speaking on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, suggested that Thomas Frank would be a “really, really smart appointment” for West Ham. Adam Keys also praised Frank as a “class act,” believing he could help stabilize the club.
Frank, currently at Brentford, typically sets up his team in a 4-3-3 formation but has shown tactical flexibility, using formations like 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, and 5-3-2 this season. His ability to adapt formations to suit opponents could help West Ham tighten up defensively, an area where they’ve struggled, conceding too many goals this season.
Bringing in Frank could also benefit star player Jarrod Bowen, who could thrive in a role similar to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has already scored six Premier League goals this season.
Under Frank, Brentford averaged 14.4 shots against them per game last season, better than the 15.5 shots West Ham currently face under Lopetegui. Frank’s mix of defensive organization, tactical adaptability, and getting the best out of key players could provide the boost West Ham need heading into a busy winter period.
Given these factors, West Ham might need to consider dismissing Lopetegui and making an ambitious move to secure Thomas Frank as their new manager to turn around their fortunes.