The most iconic picture of West Ham’s new coach Julen Lopetegui is not of him lifting the Europa League trophy with Sevilla, or even wearing the goalkeeping jerseys of Real Madrid or Barcelona (he played for both teams).
It’s of him standing next to his dad, who holds aloft his sisters, one in each hand. Champion stone-lifter Jose Antonio, now 94 years old, remains Lopetegui’s greatest inspiration.
He says his father taught him the values of hard work and perseverance that have stood him in good stead.