Julen Lopetegui has defended West Ham fans’ right to express their frustrations, stating that their boos are justified following the team’s lackluster start to the season. Despite a significant overhaul during the summer and an air of optimism surrounding the club after David Moyes’ departure, Lopetegui’s reign has quickly soured after three consecutive home defeats, culminating in a 3-0 loss to Chelsea at the London Stadium.
The defeat, which left fans jeering at the final whistle, has added pressure on the new manager. However, Lopetegui remains unfazed by the early backlash, acknowledging that such reactions are part and parcel of football when expectations aren’t met. “It’s normal,” he said regarding the crowd’s discontent. “When you lose, fans have every right to be unhappy. We understand that, and it’s up to us to turn things around.”
Lopetegui emphasized the need for collective improvement, including taking personal responsibility for the team’s performance. “The only way to change this situation is by doing better. We all need to step up, starting with me,” he stated. Despite the tough start, the Spanish manager remains hopeful, pointing out that it’s still early in the season with plenty of time to correct the course. He also noted that the team needs to shift focus to the upcoming match, as they prepare for another competition in just a few days. “We have to be ready, we must change things, and above all, improve,” he added.
The fans’ frustrations weren’t limited to the final score. Lopetegui’s decision to substitute winger Crysencio Summerville during the second half was met with boos from large sections of the home crowd. Summerville, who had shown promise during the first half and was making his first Premier League start since his transfer from Leeds, had also been involved in a controversial moment when he was denied what appeared to be a clear penalty after a tussle with Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana.
Explaining the decision to substitute Summerville, Lopetegui revealed it was a tactical call aimed at finding a different solution. “We were looking for options and decided to make the change. Summerville was playing well and certainly wasn’t a poor performer for us today,” Lopetegui clarified, suggesting the substitution wasn’t a reflection of Summerville’s individual performance, but rather part of the broader tactical approach he was trying to implement.
In a bold move earlier in the match, Lopetegui had also made a first-half substitution, pulling midfielder Guido Rodriguez off the pitch before the 40-minute mark, with West Ham already trailing by two goals. Tomas Soucek was brought on in his place in a bid to stem Chelsea’s dominance. When asked about the early substitution, Lopetegui admitted it was a tactical decision, but was quick to absolve Rodriguez of any blame. “It wasn’t Guido’s fault; it’s the coach’s responsibility when things aren’t working. Making a change before half-time is always difficult, but it’s about what the team needs in the moment,” he explained.
Lopetegui’s early tenure has been far from smooth, but he remains confident that the team has the potential to bounce back. With the season still in its infancy, the West Ham boss is urging both his players and supporters to keep faith as they work to reverse their fortunes. The upcoming matches will be crucial as Lopetegui looks to prove that this rocky start is merely a temporary setback and not a sign of things to come.