WEST HAM boss Julen Lopetegui feels his side must be prepared to face a demanding challenge when they head to Leicester tonight for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge.
Dutchman Van Nistelrooy has replaced Steve Cooper, sacked by the Foxes after just five months in charge, and watched on as his new side were thumped 4-1 at Brentford on Saturday.
The former Manchester United assistant coach and PSV Eindhoven boss will have had little time to work with the players as he looks to arrest a run of four defeats from the last five Premier League games.
Nevertheless, Lopetegui, whose team were beaten 5-2 at home by Arsenal on Saturday, will expect nothing less than a stern test when they head to Filbert Way.
“I think that Ruud is a very good manager — he has shown this before in the teams that he has worked and he has experience in the Premier League,” Lopetegui said.
“We have to be ready, because I am sure the next challenge is going to be very tough and demanding.
“That extra step and energy which happens when a new coach arrives is always important.
“Leicester also have good players, and the \[stadium\] demands a lot, so we need to show our best version to compete there.”
Lopetegui told a press conference: “I don’t know what he \[Van Nistelrooy\] is thinking in his mind, but this is not in our control.
“One of the difficulties when you face a new manager is you don’t really know what he is going to do — but I prefer to put the focus on ourselves and be ready to fight tomorrow.”
Having produced an impressive display when winning 2-0 at Newcastle on Monday night, the defeat by Arsenal, who went 4-0 up during a frantic first half, left Lopetegui once again facing questions over the direction of his team.
But former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves boss Lopetegui will not lose any sleep trying to overanalyse where his side came up short.
“We are focused on the next challenge and getting ready for Leicester now,” said Lopetegui, who took over from David Moyes at the London Stadium in the summer.
“We cannot stay talking or thinking about the past, we have to be ready in the next game.”
Lopetegui revealed defender Jean-Clair Todibo would be monitored on a “little problem” picked up during the Arsenal match.
Winger Mohammed Kudus is available against after serving out an extended five-game ban.
Lopetegui, though, suggested Kudus may not be thrown straight into the side again.