Concern has been growing in West Ham circles that Tim Steidten could be lured away by Premier League champions Manchester City.
West Ham’s recruitment chief Tim Steidten has had a topsy turvy first year or so at the club.
Speculation around the London Stadium this week off the back of news emerging from Man City has added another twist to the rollercoaster.
When West Ham took Rob Newman from Manchester City as their head of recruitment under David Moyes, there were hopes he might be able to lure the calibre of player seen at the Etihad over the last decade.
Sadly that was not the case and Newman was effectively replaced by Steidten.
The German is probably one of the only technical directors in football who has their own dedicated terrace chant.
‘Timmy Steidten’s magic’ can often be heard ringing out on concourses during Hammers matchdays.
It is sung in appreciation of the German’s work getting Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez to West Ham when he first arrived at West Ham last summer.
He has added to that with some more outstanding acquisitions this summer.
Although Steidten has faced criticism from some Hammers fans over his decisions regarding the striker department.
Some supporters also take exception to Steidten being pitchside on matchdays and conducting interviews.
Man City announcement puts frighteners on West Ham
Steidten recently described his ‘euphoria’ at having full control at West Ham following the departure of Moyes.
That came as a huge relief to West Ham fans after he was heavily linked with both Liverpool and Newcastle when they made changes at the sporting director level in recent times.
Now a big Man City announcement has put the frighteners on West Ham over Steidten but they need not worry.
Earlier this week it was announced that Manchester City’s celebrated director of football Txiki Begiristain is set to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 60-year-old Spaniard joined Man City in 2012 and was instrumental in bringing Pep Guardiola to the club as manager four years later.
Begiristain has been repeatedly praised by Guardiola for the work he has done behind the scenes with Man City’s recruitment.
That leaves a gaping hole at the Premier League champions.
And when word started circulating that Man City were looking at a coveted, well known but unnamed sporting director, it sparked fears around West Ham they could come for Steidten.
Especially in light of criticism he has faced from a minority of Hammers fans of late.
Major Steidten relief for Hammers as Man City go elsewhere
But West Ham need not worry.
Because today Man City have agreed a deal to bring in Sporting’s Hugo Viana to replace Begiristain.
The Daily Mail’s northern football reporter Jack Gaughan broke the news on Friday morning which was also reposted by Fabrizio Romano.
“Manchester City have agreed a deal to bring in Sporting’s Hugo Viana to replace Txiki Begiristain as sporting director,” Gaughan said on X.
“Man City go to Sporting in the Champions League early next month, which could be… interesting.”
This will come as a huge relief to West Ham regarding Steidten.
The technical director has stated previously he sees the Hammers as a five-year project.
Many dream he can emulate his stunning work at Bayer Leverkusen in that time.
The news emerging from Man City might make those who have been critical of Steidten perhaps appreciate what they have.
It also creates an interesting sub-plot for West Ham fans.
In the summer the Hammers held talks with Sporting boss Ruben Amorim about replacing Moyes.
Steidten was pushing for the Portuguese but in the end David Sullivan pulled rank and appointed Julen Lopetegui.
