Iron Maiden surprise Julen Lopetegui with a special gift for his 58th birthday. The relationship between the band and West Ham United remains strong.
Julen Lopeteguicoach of the West Ham Unitedhas received a very special gift from Iron Maiden On the occasion of his 58th birthday, the legendary heavy metal band, which has a close relationship with the London club, gave him a painting with the dates of their 2023 UK tour “The Future Past”, personally dedicated to Lopetegui.
The Spanish coach, who recently joined West Ham’s coaching staff, was visibly moved upon receiving the gift. He took a photo with the painting in the club’s offices, which was shared by Iron Maiden on their social media. The painting included a message that read: “Happy Birthday Julen, From Iron Maiden”.
Who is Julen Lopetegui?
Julen Lopeteguiborn on August 28, 1966, is a renowned football coach who has managed top-level teams in Spain and Europe. His career includes important positions as national team coach, Spaincoach of the Real Madrid and of the Sevilla FCwhere he achieved great success. His style of play and his ability to manage squads have consolidated his reputation in international football.
In 2024, Lopetegui joined the West Ham Unitedone of the historic clubs of the Premier League English, where he has continued his coaching career in competitive British football.
The relationship between Iron Maiden and West Ham United
The link between Iron Maiden and the West Ham United It has a lot of tradition, mainly thanks to Steve Harrisbassist and founder of the band, who is a passionate fan of the club. This connection has led to unique collaborations between the band and the team, including the creation of a line of merchandising which fuses the iconic symbols of Iron Maiden, such as its mascot Eddiewith the colours and emblems of West Ham.
Recently, the London Olympic Stadiumthe current home of West Ham United, paid tribute to the band in spectacular fashion. During one of the team’s matches, Iron Maiden anthems could be heard at full volume. “Aces High” y “2 Minutes To Midnight”accompanied by a display of fire and flames that made the stadium look like the stage of a concert by the band. This gesture was widely shared on social media, and many fans expressed their desire to see this type of tribute repeated in future matches.
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