Former West Ham United manager David Moyes has urged the club to remain patient with current head coach Julen Lopetegui despite the team’s inconsistent start to the season.
The Hammers have endured mixed results in the Premier League, recording an impressive home victory over Manchester United but also suffering heavy defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking on the BBC’s Football Daily podcast, Moyes stressed that every manager experiences difficult periods and believes Lopetegui deserves more time to implement his ideas.
“I had a few defeats where we lost heavily at different times, so it happens for all managers,” Moyes said.
“I think the new manager coming in needs time and should be given the opportunity to set things up the way he wants them to happen.”
The Scot acknowledged that West Ham appear more attack-minded under Lopetegui but warned that the tactical approach has also left the team more vulnerable defensively.
“They look as if they’re a bit more open than they have been before and more liable to concede. But they’re desperately trying to score more goals as well,” he explained.
Moyes also pointed out that West Ham’s players should be in a better physical condition compared to the same stage last season, when the club had the added demands of competing in European competitions.
“This time last year, I think we’d played about five or six more games than they have just now because we had the European competition to compete with as well,” he added. “The players should be much fresher, have more energy and be able to show that.”
Moyes believes stability is crucial and has advised the club’s hierarchy against making a hasty managerial change, expressing confidence that Lopetegui can turn things around if given enough time.
