The cat is out of the bag as David Moyes is set to leave West Ham United at the end of the season.
Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui could be the man to replace the Europa Conference League winner in the dugout for next season.
For months and months now, fans have become disgruntled with Moyes and certain results have just made matters worse.
From getting thrashed 6-0 at home to Arsenal, conceding four away at Aston Villa, shipping five to Chelsea and playing sleep-walking football along the way.
Some would argue that West Ham should have made the call to let Moyes leave a lot sooner because the mood in the camp has been pretty low for a while now – even though the Scotsman is a defensive-minded coach, they have shipped 70 goals this season – and still counting, with a trip to Manchester City remaining.
When Julen Lopetegui does make his expected move – sources have told HITC that David Sullivan has been impressed by the ex-Real Madrid boss – then he has huge demands to meet.
But what is the 57-year-old, who also won the Europa League with Sevilla, really like?
Cesc Fabregas worked with Lopetegui for a brief period in his career and it is something he seemingly wants to forget.
The legendary midfielder labelled his fellow countryman ‘a good coach’, but then added by saying ‘I shouldn’t say that because he kicked me out of the Spanish national team’, as he told Planet Football.
Leading up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Lopetegui pushed Fabregas out of the squad, then agreed to become Real Madrid boss whilst still in the Spain dugout, got sacked by his national team before the tournament started and lasted only a few months at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It all proved to be a disaster and, at the time, Fabregas was glad that he was gone and now he reacted to suggestions he could become West Ham’s next manager.
Cesc Fabregas and Julen Lopetegui
“I think he is a good coach,” said Fabregas. “I shouldn’t say that because he kicked me out of the Spanish national team. He’s the one who stopped talking to me, so that hurts, still!
“I think he is a good coach. He has had success with the Spanish U21 team. Obviously, all that mess that happened in the Spanish national team when he signed for Real Madrid, then they kicked him out before the World Cup etc… When Real Madrid signs you. Obviously, something is good around you. You have done a good job somewhere and somehow. His Sevilla team, for example, played quite well. They won the Europa League playing good football. At Wolves, correct me if I am wrong, I think he did a good job. Creating a good atmosphere and a good brand of football. Getting them away from the relegation zone. I don’t know what happened and why he left Wolves.
“But he is definitely a coach who has clear ideas of what he wants to do. He has had success in a couple of teams. Why not? I think he could be good (for West Ham). He plays a different style than what West Ham has done for the last couple of years.”
Julen Lopetegui’s style of play
You feel the style of play is one of the big reasons why Moyes is heading for the exit door and why he was so unpopular with some.
In terms of results on the pitch, he helped deliver a first trophy in four decades and constantly helped the Hammers finish in Europe – and could do so again before he departs.
READ MORE: DARREN BENT SAYS 37-YEAR-OLD WOULDN’T SWAP LOWER LEAGUE JOB FOR WEST HAM UNITED MANAGER
But fans just weren’t happy with the style and now Lopetegui will be hoping to get the team more on the front foot.
Lopetegui’s teams tend to play further up the pitch, they are more aggressive, which will delight those at the London Stadium, and now it’s a case of dealing with the pressure.