New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui turned down an staggering salary to join a club in Saudi Arabia claims Guillem Balague.

Many West Ham fans are very much undecided on incoming new manager Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham have confirmed David Moyes is leaving after four-and-a-half years in charge.

Ex Wolves boss Lopetegui will replace him with talkSPORT claiming the deal will be signed on Wednesday.

Some Hammers fans are underwhelmed by the imminent appointment.

Others have warmed to the idea after learning more about Lopetegui since it became clear he will succeed Moyes.

One thing seems abundantly clear, though, West Ham will be getting a man of principle.

Most Hammers fans already know Lopetegui walked out on Wolves last August over broken promises regarding spending.

Hammers clearly hiring a man of principle

That has been viewed as a positive by many with fans feeling it proves he will push West Ham’s owners to match his ambition.

Now further proof has emerged of Lopetegui’s substance.

Because new West Ham boss Lopetegui turned down an staggering Saudi salary claims Guillem Balague.

It is an amount that will make your eyes water.

Spanish journalist Balague was one of the first to confirm Lopetegui is joining the Hammers.

He moved to reassure fans they are getting ‘one of the top managers in Europe’ after Moyes’ departure was confirmed.

Now in a new interview with West Ham Network, Balague reveals Lopetegui turned down a staggering £60m-per-year salary to manage a Saudi club in order to land a Premier League job.

Balague also confirms reported interest from Man United and Bayern Munich was indeed genuine.

Lopetegui turned down staggering £60m-per-year Saudi salary

“It’s all agreed first of all let me say, as I announced,” Balague told West Ham Network in the post you can see below.

“He had offers from Saudi Arabia, I think something like 70 million Euros (£60m) a year or something crazy.

“There was calls from Manchester United and from Bayern Munich so that tells you the calibre of manager that he is…

“There’s two massive powers there (at West Ham), the energy, the knowledge, the experience Lopetegui brings with the potential of West Ham.”

The full interview is being released on Thursday.

But it is not the first time Balague has spoken up for his compatriot this week.

The pundit told ‘sad’ AC Milan they have made a big mistake allowing West Ham to take Lopetegui off their hands.

That was after the Serie A giants withdrew a three-year deal which had been six months in the making following protests from their “ultras”.

Style and plenty of substance

In the interview, Balague is also backing Lopetegui to bring a more entertaining style to West Ham, insisting Hammers fans are entitled to want better than Moyes-ball.

“I get very annoyed when I hear pundits talk about ‘Oh the West Ham fans are entitled because they want to play better (football)’. I’m sorry mates but you pay your money to actually enjoy yourselves when you got to your club and that is a massive part of your day!”

It is very refreshing to hear someone back the West Ham fans rather than trot out the same tired old ‘be careful what you wish for’ warning.

Let’s hope Balague is right and his fellow Spaniard can improve West Ham’s style.

Of course the Hammers will still need to have substance. But if the team reflects Lopetegui then there are no concerns on that front.

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