Tim Steidten on red alert as journalist leaks manager’s direct talks with West Ham chief David Sullivan. There have been murmurings around West Ham that the club are not too pleased with technical director Tim Steidten.
It’s fair to say that West Ham’s ‘pearl diver’ Tim Steidten has had an up and down first 15 months at the club.
Steidten described his ‘euphoria’ assuming full control of West Ham’s football operation after the departure of David Moyes.
Things ended on a sour note between the German and the Hammers’ best manager of the modern era. Moyes even banned the former Bayer Leverkusen director from being anywhere near the first team as his tenure came to an end.
Steidten is probably one of the only technical directors in football for whom fans have their own terrace chant. ‘Timmy Steidten’s magic’ can often be heard ringing out on concourses during Hammers match days.
It is sung in appreciation of the German’s work getting Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez to West Ham when he first arrived and the likes of Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Crysencio Summerville this summer. The chant has not had too many airings this season, though, as West Ham struggle to live up to expectations under Julen Lopetegui.
Steidten on red alert as journalist leaks manager’s Sullivan talks
Steidten has taken his fair share of criticism from fans.
That’s just a few months after many rejoiced at fending off reported interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle in the recruitment chief.
A journalist source close to the club told Hammers News and other outlets this week that the owners are not too happy with Steidten’s summer spending or conduct.
Steidten was also criticised by some supporters for being around the first team and doing interviews earlier this season.
He has been notable by his absence pitchside since rumours have abound Lopetegui was facing the sack. Instead he’s been spotted in the stands watching games.
Well it seems all may not be well for him behind the scenes at West Ham if a new claim is to be believed. Steidten will be on red alert as a journalist leaks the manager’s direct talks with West Ham chief David Sullivan.
West Ham have made it clear they want to try and sign a striker in the January transfer window. Especially after losing Michail Antonio following his horrific car crash.
But according to Daily Mail journalist James Sharpe, Steidten appears to have been cut out of the planning for a new forward.
Lopetegui’s talks with Hammers chief beg big Steidten question. He reports that Lopetegui has been holding direct talks with Sullivan about potential January striker targets.
While that is encouraging, it begs a major question – why is the manager holding talks with the owner about signings when that is supposed to be Steidten’s job? It makes no sense given Steidten is heading up the football operation and recruitment.
Perhaps ominously Sullivan was also seen watching West Ham’s last home game alongside influential agent Will Salthouse.
The agent is close friends with Sullivan’s sons and is said to have played a big part in the Hammers appointing Lopetegui. Guillem Balague also suggested Lopetegui has been hamstrung by the club’s summer business.
Lopetegui himself even appeared to criticise Steidten by stating he couldn’t implement the style he wants at West Ham with the players he has been given.
On the flip side there have been counter claims that in fact Steidten allowed Lopetegui to choose several signings including Guido Rodriguez, Carlos Soler, Kilman and Wan-Bissaka.
It certainly feels like some clarity is needed if this setup is going to work for West Ham. Former boss Moyes said he’s not a fan of West Ham’s new structure in a recent interview.
It will certainly be interesting to see how things pan out in the January transfer window after the Mail journalist’s claim.
