Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg has launched scathing attack on West Ham technical director Tim Steidten.
West Ham were hailed as having ‘won the transfer window’ in the summer.
Therefore few could have seen the club’s current predicament coming.
West Ham have just two wins from eight Premier League games, crashed out of the Carabao Cup 5-1 to Liverpool for the second season running and their new manager Julen Lopetegui is under pressure.
It’s a world away from the hope and expectation that engulfed the Hammers as Tim Steidten put the finishing touches to a stellar window by bringing in Carlos Soler on deadline day.
It wasn’t just the fact West Ham had managed to sign nine quality players to the tune of £155m.
But they kept their star players like Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, Edson Alvarez and – admittedly by default – Lucas Paqueta too.
Alarm bells have been ringing regarding Lopetegui.
Thus far the Spaniard has failed to get a tune out of his new-look side.
West Ham have showed no tangible signs of improvement.
They are still dreadful at the back despite bringing in three new defensive starters.
A number of managers are being linked as replacements for Lopetegui already.
But a Guardian journalist known to have strong contacts inside the club strongly believes someone else is to blame.
Jacob Steinberg has launched a scathing attack on Steidten but he’s not the problem at West Ham.
Steinberg believes the pressure is on Steidten after what he has labelled a ‘botched revamp’ just eight games in.
The reporter has compiled a long list of grievances with Steidten, painting the German to be over-hyped, over-celebrated and underachieving.
Steinberg launches scathing attack on Steidten
Here are a some of Steinberg’s criticisms of Steidten:
- Says Steidten was supposed to improve recruitment but hasn’t
- Critical of self-publicity surrounding Steidten’s transfer successes such as pictures on private jets – questions the purpose and motive
- Claims some sources have questioned Steidten’s influence in much-hailed Bayer Leverkusen revolution
- Overpaid for Max Kilman
- Midfield is ‘cumbersome’ after revamp and describes that and striker situation as ‘ridiculous’
- Questions wisdom of Steidten allowing Lopetegui to sign Rodriguez and Soler while letting Ward-Prowse go
- Steinberg says ‘mistakes are endless’
- Suggests Steidten may be behind reports in Germany about interest in Edin Terzic
- Insists Steidten’s job should be on the line as much as Lopetegui’s
“Steidten won his battle with Moyes,” Steinberg states.
“He has been backed and given power. Excuses run thin. After overseeing a spend of more than £100m, Steidten cannot have any complaints if questions are not only being asked about Lopetegui’s job security.”
Firstly this is no dig at Steinberg. He’s a fine journalist who is perfectly entitled to call it how he sees it.
And he makes some salient points most fans would agree with.
Particularly regarding the midfield and striker recruitment as there is no doubt the midfield is the major issue while the Niclas Fullkrug signing has been disastrous.
Being in full control of the football operation means increased focus on his work is the price on the ticket for Steidten.
So he is very much there to be shot at.
But while Steidten has to take his share of the blame for the current predicament, he really is not the issue at West Ham.
This is a man who has managed to beat other top sides to bring Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez, Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Crysencio Summerville to West Ham.
Steidten not perfect but he’s not the problem at West Ham
Although Fullkrug has endured a nightmare start to life in east London, he too was persuaded to join a team not even playing in Europe.
Steidten also played a key role in Jarrod Bowen signing a seven-year contract.
Rodriguez has not been as bad as Steinberg makes out. In fact the Argentine has been West Ham’s best player defensively by a distance.
Steidten has delivered players West Ham could only dream about even a couple of years ago.
Yes he should have gone all in to get Jhon Duran instead of Fullkrug.
And yes a more powerful, mobile midfielder was and is needed.
But it is not Steidten’s fault Lopetegui can’t get a tune out of a collection of very talented players.
Other managers in the Premier League would kill for West Ham’s squad.
It is up to Lopetegui to make it work on the pitch.
From my understanding it is also not factually correct that Steidten brought Lopetegui to David Sullivan.
Will Salthouse was pushing the Spaniard’s case and Sullivan was impressed by his interview.
Steidten wanted other candidates – as has been widely reported.
In the background Steidten must redouble his efforts to attract younger, more athletic and exciting players to the London Stadium for the long term.
To suggest the German is the be all and end all for West Ham is far fetched.
But to say Steidten is the problem just doesn’t make sense.
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