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Only at West Ham could a club unveil their new manager and then have their 'glory' stolen by the FA on the same day! Any elation felt by the Hammers board about the publication of Julen Lopetegui's role as head coach must have evaporated as the FA finally decided to charge Lucas Paqueta with 'betting irregularities'charges.

West Ham have now officially appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach. The 57 year old Spaniard succeeds David Moyes and joins on a two year deal, with the option for a third.

Lopetegui's first words after the confirmation of his arrival were "I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club. We had other opportunities but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this."

Among the raft of coaching staff being shown the door from West Ham yesterday one name does stick out and will have many feeling at least a tinge of sorrow, Kevin Nolan has left the building. Nolan of course, captained the Irons promotion winning team and became part of the fabric of the club.

So 'Lord' Southgate has included Jarrod Bowen in his initial squad for the upcoming Euros, well he had to didn't he, although plenty of established players found out to their cost that they weren't guaranteed a place.

Man City: Ortega, Walker(c), Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Silva, Haaland, Doku.
Subs: Carson, Stones, Ake, Lewis, Nunes, Bobb, Kovacic, Grealish, Alvarez.

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma(c), Mavropanos, Cresswell, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Antonio.
Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Alvarez, Cornet, Ings, Earthy, Casey, Mubama, Ogbonna.

As you can imagine, the media information and rumour machine regarding West Ham are running at full chaff ahead of the arrival of Julen Lopetegui. Names of incoming players have been arriving from all directions and sources with the 'information; being lapped up by supporters lusting for some positive news about the rebuild of the Premier Leagues oldest and smallest squad!

As if it isn't embarrassing enough for ex-Arsenal player Paul Merson to constantly get teams and players names mixed up while attempting to be a pundit on Sky Sports, he has now descended into downright insults that have absolutely NO substance!

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma ©, Ogbonna, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Paquetá, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Casey, Cresswell, Álvarez, Earthy, Cornet, Ings, Mubama
Luton: Kaminski, Osho, Mengi, Burke, Doughty, Lokonga, Onyedinma, Chong, Barkley, Adebayo, Morris © Subs: Krul (GK), Ogbene, Berry, Woodrow, Ruddock Mpanzu, Clark, Hashioka, Townsend, Johnson

Players out

Veterans Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna will NOT be signing contract extensions, while Nayef Aguerd could also be sold along with Kurt Zouma. Ben Johnson won't stay unless Steidten can weave his magic, while Thilo Kherer and Said Benrahma Wil most likely be snapped up by the clubs they have been on loan with. Finally Lucas Paqueta who will need to be sold in order to finance some of the deals!

In an ideal world Hammers would have the resources to try and negotiate for TWO additional strikers to replace the ageing Miley Antonio and the off form Danny Ings. Ings is on massive money and has to go down as one of David Moyes' worst signings since Jordan Hugill!

Mikey Antonio isn't getting any younger and while he could still be a brilliant impact sub probably feels that he has a season or two left in his legs at a club that where he would be starter week in week out, something that is very unlikely when Lopetegui takes over the managerial reins at the club.