When Julen Lopetegui arrived at West Ham this summer, he was supposed to rip up the David Moyes playbook and start again.
Five games into the new Premier League season and it feels as if little has changed.
Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Chelsea gave Lopetegui the unwanted record of being the first coach in the Hammers’ history to have presided over three straight home defeats at the start of a campaign.
Perhaps if West Ham had shown more attacking intent and purpose in those games, supporters would be more content with the four points they have. The boos that rang around the London Stadium on Saturday showed they are far from satisfied.
After an opening day defeat by Aston Villa, Lopetegui’s side appeared to take a step forward with a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace. While they were beaten 3-1 by Manchester City, they competed well and players seemed to be getting to grips with his new tactics.
Julen Lopetegui became the first West Ham manager to preside over three straight home defeats to begin a campaign
Technical director Tim Steidten was spotted hugging players, including Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen, on the pitch after their win over Crystal Palace
Lopetegui’s appointment was driver by West Ham owner David Sullivan, not Steidten
But performances against Fulham, where Danny Ings salvaged a point in the 95th minute, and Chelsea have seen the Hammers take two steps backwards. Jarrod Bowen, who Lopetegui named captain this summer, admitted they made it ‘easy’ for Chelsea.
It is still unclear what West Ham’s identity under Lopetegui is, or is supposed to be. In July, when the Spaniard was unveiled, he said: ‘The style has to help you to win, that is the first step. We have to be able to have the initiative, to be aggressive with the ball. But my aim as coach is to have everything — to understand the game and have the right answers.’
There is no indication that Lopetegui is under pressure or has an unhappy camp. He has had little time to implement his philosophy and there is an understanding it will take longer than that to see progress.
But the influence of technical director Tim Steidten will be key as to how much leeway is afforded. Lopetegui’s appointment was driven by owner David Sullivan, not Steidten, who would have preferred a more dynamic coach.
The club looked into recruiting Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, who was Steidten’s choice, but Sullivan decided his £17million release clause was too high.
Lopetegui accepted his role would be ‘head coach’, not manager, when he arrived. It is a subtle but important distinction.
The Hammers passed on the chance to recruit Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim
There was much excitement about French defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who was on Manchester United and Tottenham’s radar
Niclas Fullkrug, who joined for £23m from Borussia Dortmund, picked up an injury on international duty with Germany
Steidten is in charge of transfers and while he was in daily contact with Lopetegui throughout pre-season, he was tasked with recruiting players for a manager who, ultimately, he did not want.
West Ham spent just over £120m on new arrivals, but Lopetegui has struggled to bed his new signings in and has referenced their late arrivals and lack of a pre-season as a problem.
There was much excitement about French defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who was on Manchester United and Tottenham’s radar, but he is yet to start a league game. Lopetegui does not consider him to be fit enough yet, though he is considering starting him against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round this evening. The Frenchman is happy in London and willing to bide his time, but a lack of fitness has been a recurring theme.
Niclas Fullkrug, who joined for £23m from Borussia Dortmund, spent the first weeks of the season getting up to speed, but picked up an injury on international duty with Germany and has missed the last two games.
Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez have started every league match, but the latter was substituted after just 38 minutes on Saturday.
There is also a feeling that the Hammers needed another striker and that their combination of central midfielders are all lacking in pace, which has at times left the back four vulnerable. There are suspicions, too, about the amount of transfer information that leaked into the public domain over the summer.
David Moyes (right) and Steidten clashed because of the latter’s desire for a bigger profile
While Steidten was at the forefront of summer activity, given the transfer window shut on August 30 there was an assumption that, at least until January, his work would continue in the background.
It was intriguing, then, to see him give an interview to TNT Sports ahead of the Chelsea game. It was short and he spoke mainly about his satisfaction at the club’s transfers and their ambitions for the season.
It is not the first time he has strayed into territory usually reserved for coaches though, with the German spotted hugging players on the pitch after the Palace victory.
This, however, is not uncommon in Europe, where sporting directors are more visible than we are used to seeing.
Moyes and Steidten clashed because of the latter’s desire for a bigger profile. Moyes blocked him from doing interviews and by the end of last season, he banned him from the first team dressing room.
The noise from the club over the summer was that Lopetegui and Steidten had a good working relationship. Sources have told Mail Sport that Steidten is relaxed and approachable for players and staff. He is described as a warm and casual character who spends a lot of his time on the phone.
Lopetegui takes his side to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in their next fixture
But while Lopetegui accepted the technical director would have significant power when he took the job, he is no pushover. This is a man who has managed Real Madrid and Spain and he will not sit back if he believes boundaries have been crossed.
In a strange three-way power battle, Sullivan is the one who ultimately calls the shots. He trusts Steidten with transfers, but Lopetegui is his man. The Spaniard will know that he needs to start repaying that faith quickly.
