Julen Lopetegui is reportedly unhappy with the situation handed to him by West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten.
According to a top journalist, tensions are rising behind the scenes at the club.
That has been patently clear for all to see with West Ham likened to a circus this week.
Tim Steidten had been hailed a hero after two impressive summer windows of business since arriving at the London Stadium.
The German had total control of the football operation since David Moyes’ departure.
However, with that comes added spotlight and pressure regarding signings.
Going into the summer window one of West Ham’s top priorities was to sign a top class striker.
Hammers fans wanted Steidten and Julen Lopetegui to bring in a young, pacy, exciting star who could be the club’s centre forward for years to come.
The man they all wanted was Jhon Duran from Aston Villa.
Lopetegui not happy with situation he’s been left in by Steidten
As revealed to Hammers News by the top spokesman inside West Ham, Steidten elected to spread his budget across the signings of Luis Guilherme and Niclas Fullkrug rather than use it all on Duran.
Steidten instead chose to sign compatriot and friend Fullkrug.
Eyebrows were raised by the signing at the time.
Bringing a 31-year-old with little pace and a long history of serious injuries rang alarm bells in east London.
Sure enough Fullkrug has barely kicked a ball in anger at West Ham.
He was restricted to three substitute appearances by Lopetegui to start the season.
That was despite Steidten declaring he was brought in because he was ready to hit the ground running from the get go.
Fullkrug has been injured ever since and Man United will be the seventh game he has missed so far.
West Ham boss unhappy at having Antonio as leading striker
Word is the striker – who went back to Germany for treatment again this week – may be out until the new year.
There is even talk today that Fullkrug could be sold in January.
Well it seems supporters are not the only ones angry with their technical director.
Lopetegui is not happy with the situation he’s been left in by Steidten at West Ham claims a journalist.
With Fullkrug out, West Ham are left relying on soon-to-be 35-year-old Michail Antonio and £125k per week 32-year-old misfit flop Danny Ings.
Antonio has one goal in nine appearances this season.
And his ratio wasn’t much better last term either.
The fact West Ham have been left relying on Antonio to lead the line yet again is a source of frustration for the head coach.
Blame not all on Lopetegui for Hammers troubles
That’s according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
Crook claims Lopetegui is not a massive fan of Antonio and doesn’t believe he can be the solution up front.
He has also made his feelings clear to the Hammers hierarchy that he’s not happy with the striker situation.
“It’s raised question marks over the wisdom of technical director Tim Steidten’s decision to buy a 31-year-old with a poor injury history, despite being praised for his performances at Euro 2024,” Crook said on talkSPORT.
“In Fullkrug’s absence, Michail Antonio has led the line up front, but manager Julen Lopetegui does not see the Jamaican as a long-term solution, and is putting pressure on the hierarchy to dip into their pockets in January.”
No wonder Lopetegui is miffed.
West Ham have got the striker department all wrong.
They now have two forwards out of contract in the summer. And the only remaining one – if he isn’t sold in January as is being rumoured – will be turning 32.
It beggars belief given some of the top young talent around snapped up by other clubs.
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