Julen Lopetegui has hailed Newcastle legend Sir Bobby Robson as one of his inspirations in becoming a manager.
The West Ham boss heads to St James Park tonight with his misfiring troops in desperate need of a result to ease the growing pressure on him. But, as always when taking on the Geordies at their place, he will think about the crucial part Robson, the late, great former Toon supremo, played in his own career.
Firstly, as a reserve keeper with Sir Bobby’s Barcelona in the mid-90s – and then how that brief spell under the Englishman helped shape his style on the touchline. Lopetegui made just five La Liga appearances for the Catalans.
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However he did play in the second leg of their 1996 Spanish Super Cup victory over Atletico Madrid. All of Robson’s starting line-up that night would become managers, including Pep Guardiola – and Lopetegui reckons that is no coincidence.
Reminded that he conceded three in the return leg, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach, 58, laughed before replying: “Okay. Maybe I did. Who won? We won the cup, no?
“He was my manager. I was very proud to have Bobby Robson as a manager. Very proud. I have very good memories about Bobby. Jose Mourinho was his second manager. Bobby was a gentleman. All of us loved him.
“For me, he was important. He was a key for me. He helped me a lot. I remember this. I was on the bench a lot – very close to him – so I started to think a little as a coach in this moment, maybe.
“He was special because he was very, very smart in the way he managed problems. He was firm. Very firm. But he also took care with the way he managed players. He was very intelligent, a psychologist in how he managed the pressure.
“You always take experience from coaches in your past. After each one, you make your own style.”
(Image: GETTY)
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Robson left the Nou Camp in the summer of ‘97 and the ex-England manager eventually concluded a brilliant career at the helm of his beloved Geordies.
A point not lost on Lopetegui, who added: “Yes, I know. I played in Newcastle after this and have seen his statue. He deserved this.”
Fast forward to the present day and Lopetegui’s Irons are showing an alarming propensity to crumble at the first sign of trouble – as crushing defeats to Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest highlight.
Eddie Howe’s fast-improving Toon will be tough, then. Lopetegui added: “They won at home against Tottenham and Arsenal. We must compete with the same energy they show.”