“It all Makes Sense Now” | Moyes v Steidten Revelation
The report that West Ham pulled out of a transfer deal for Youssouf Fofana in favour of signing James Ward-Prowse was an intriguing story. However, the revelation that former Hammers manager David Moyes undermined director of football Tim Steidten was by far the most fascinating aspect.
Time seems to pass quickly in football, and it’s easy to forget that towards the end of Moyes’ tenure in East London, he had banned Steidten from both the dressing room and the training ground.
Whilst the club did their utmost to put a positive spin on the decaying relationship, it was clear to everyone that mistrust had grown beyond repair.
Therefore, it’s interesting to receive another layer of information that adds to the picture of what must have been a fraught dynamic between two different footballing philosophies.
Steidten is every inch the modern director of football, mandated to oversee and manage everything aside from coaching, tactics, and team selection. Moyes, on the other hand, was old school; he was the omnipotent football manager who liked to be in charge of every footballing decision at the club. It was unsurprising that the pair would eventually clash.
Happier times? Moyes & Steidten
I’m quite certain that both men would have considered themselves correct in the transfer decision regarding James Ward-Prowse. Moyes would have been pleased with his decision as his £25 million man from Southampton did exactly what it said on the tin.
Steidten, on the other hand, would have looked at Fofana’s rapid development into an all-around midfield powerhouse and seen it as a missed opportunity.
Moyes was offered the chance to extend his contract and work alongside the Hammers’ director of football, but it would have required him to relinquish his transfer responsibilities. As more of the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that a compromise was never a realistic expectation. The club just wasn’t big enough for both men, and unfortunately for the Scotsman, he paid the ultimate price.
