Cameras have spotted Tim Steidten in deep conversation with Dave Sullivan during the latest West Ham debacle at Crystal Palace. West Ham have taken some ridiculous thumpings this season.
Liverpool, Fulham, Aston Villa and Arsenal have all pummelled David Moyes’ Jekyll and Hyde side.Now the Hammers are on the way to another hiding at the hands of Crystal Palace.
The Eagles flew out of the traps against a lacklustre West Ham, surging into a 4-0 lead. It is the fifth time this season the Hammers have conceded four or more goals.
Michail Antonio’s goal just before the break has saved some face for West Ham. But it could and probably should have been 6-0 to Palace before Antonio prodded home.
West Ham equalled their longest run without a Premier League clean sheet under Moyes just seven minutes into a game they had to win to have any chance of a European place.
Moyes oversees yet another hammering
Michael Olise nodded home from six yards out after some pathetic defending to make it 14 league games without a shutout – the worst run since 2020.
Palace found themselves 4-0 up inside 40 minutes but it could have been 6-0 in truth. That was the fastest any Moyes team has ever conceded four goals in his entire career as a manager.
Palace re-established their four-goal advantage in the second half and it’s no more than their young, vibrant – and it must be said well rested – team deserved. For West Ham it’s now just four wins in 22 matches in 2024.
There has been intense speculation that Moyes will be leaving the club next month. The Scot’s contract is up in the summer and many Hammers fans have grown tired of his approach.
Moyes has had full control of recruitment since his return in 2020. And even after Tim Steidten’s arrival last summer the manager still had power of veto.
The likes of Maurizio Sarri and Thomas Tuchel have been linked as potential replacements this week.
Speculation has ramped up since the Europa League exit on Thursday night. Cameras spot Steidten in deep conversation with Sullivan
Moyes put a cat amongst the pigeons ahead of the trip to Palace by suggesting he may yet stay at the club next season.
He also admitted he prefers a small squad – which is seen by West Ham’s fans as the key reason the club has missed out on a golden chance to finish in the top six this season.
Whether Moyes stays or goes, Steidten will have full control of all recruitment from this summer. And the German sees it as a five-year project, which he is one year into.
West Ham’s owners are also reported to have put Steidten in charge of appointing a replacement for Moyes. Steidten had that power at Bayer Leverkusen too. So West Ham are clearly in good hands.
He was in attendance at Selhurst Park to watch the latest hammering unfold. Steidten was seen looking understandably concerned alongside the eldest son of majority owner David Sullivan.
The pair watched on in horror as Palace made light work of a West Ham squad which needs a major rebuild this summer.
Judging by the look on the faces of Steidten and Sullivan, it’s unlikely Moyes will be part of that rebuild.
West Ham Technical Director Tim Steidten watches in horror from Selhurst Park as the Hammers go 4-0 down after 30 minutes pic.twitter.com/E0vkWYptQ0
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) April 21, 2024
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Look on faces of duo says it all
The Hammers are already three or four players short in their squad at the very least.
Six players are out of contract and set to leave at the end of June.
And the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet are likely to be sold. So as many as 10 players will be needed.
With that in mind, Steidten has a lot on his plate as it is. But before he can focus on that, he will now surely be on the hunt for Moyes’ successor.
Moyes and Steidten are known to share pre and post-match chats on the pitch. Oh to be a fly on the wall of that particular post-match conversation today.
