West Ham chief David Sullivan has a clever plan to keep Tim Steidten out of Liverpool’s clutches if a new report is to be believed.
West Ham majority owner David Sullivan has been around a long time.
But perhaps never before has he had to fight to keep a technical director at a club.
That’s the challenge he is facing with West Ham now, though, as Liverpool circle with serious intent for Tim Steidten.
We exclusively reported that the top source insider West Ham admitted it would ‘not be easy’ to stop Steidten leaving for the Reds.
Then in an interview this week, Steidten conceded he is flattered by Liverpool’s interest. The German also stated he sees Liverpool as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Sullivan’s clever plan to keep Steidten out of Liverpool’s clutches
And while he said he is planning West Ham’s summer transfers, he added ‘we’ll see what happens’ ahead of a rumoured summer switch to Anfield.
But West Ham chief Sullivan has clever plan to keep Steidten out of Liverpool’s clutches.
That’s if a new claim from The Telegraph proves accurate.
Liverpool have one big hope in snaring the former Bayer Leverkusen man away from the London Stadium. And that seems to rest with some reported unrest behind the scenes at West Ham.
Steidten is in charge of Hammers recruitment. But he has been at odds with David Moyes on a number of occasions over signings. The Scot has the ultimate power of veto on deals as per the terms of his existing contract.
Steidten gets manager pick if he resists Reds
And that saw him turn down another player Steidten wanted to sign in January in the shape of Ibrahim Osman. Brighton have since fronted the £16m to get the Ghanaian winger signed for the summer.
Now The Telegraph’s Matt Law claims Steidten will be given a big carrot to remain at West Ham by Sullivan.
And that is complete control to choose and appoint Moyes’ replacement.
“Should West Ham decide to replace Moyes, then it will be technical director Tim Steidten who will lead the process to appoint his successor,” Law states.
That means Steidten can then cherry pick the man he not only feels is best suited to the role. But one who will be more willing to focus on coaching while he picks the players and calls all the shots on recruitment.
With Steidten appointing compatriot Max Hahn last week and the Liverpool target also said to be bringing in his brother Moritz as a scout, West Ham are clearly looking to keep him happy and content in east London.
Giving him ultimate say on Moyes’ successor could be the clincher which keeps him out of Liverpool’s grasp.
