“I’ve seen enough” – West Ham podcaster James Jones gives Lopetegui verdict

West Ham podcaster James Jones claims he has seen enough to already form an opinion on the club’s new manager, Julen Lopetegui.

The Hammers appointed the Spaniard as their new boss in late November, with the former Sevilla and Real Madrid manager taking charge of his first game in a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

Lopetegui then oversaw a 1-0 defeat at home to Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, with West Ham now winless in their last four games in all competitions.

And Jones, who hosts the West Ham podcast “The Claret & Blue Podcast”, believes he has already seen enough to make a judgement on Lopetegui, and it is not a positive one.

“I’ve seen enough,” Jones said on his podcast. “I don’t think he’s the right man for the job. I don’t think he’s got the personality or the experience to manage a club like West Ham.

“He’s come from a different league, a different culture, and I don’t think he’s got the nous to do well in the Premier League. I think he’s going to struggle, and I think West Ham are going to struggle under him.

“I know it’s early days, but I’ve seen enough to know that he’s not the right man for the job. I think West Ham need to make a change, and I think they need to do it sooner rather than later.

Lopetegui has a poor record in the Premier League, having been sacked by Wolves after just 14 games in charge in 2022.

He also failed to win a major trophy during his time in charge of Sevilla, and was sacked by Real Madrid in 2018 after just four months in charge.

West Ham are currently 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone.

They have not won a league game since October, and have lost their last three matches in all competitions.

Lopetegui will be hoping to turn things around when West Ham host Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.