Times are a-changing at West Ham and it seems swapping out Julen Lopetegui for Graham Potter was just the start.
Julen Lopetegui simply did not work out at West Ham.
The Spaniard was the wrong appointment in the first place.
The fact West Ham fans were completely underwhelmed when it emerged Lopetegui was going to be the man to replace David Moyes should have been heeded by the board.
But David Sullivan and co – by their own admission to Hammers News earlier this season – said West Ham ‘played it safe and went with Premier League experience’.
That was despite Lopetegui’s said Prem experience being very limited.
Much like his ability to communicate properly with and inspire his expensively assembled Hammers squad.
A squad assembled by – or at least overseen by – technical director Tim Steidten. To the tune of £155m no less.
The likes of Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg claim sources have indicated West Ham are increasingly unhappy with Steidten over his transfer record.
It’s been speculated Steidten could be next to leave and with reports the German ‘has already been sidelined’ by Sullivan for the January transfer window.
Inevitably, Steidten’s relationship with new boss Graham Potter was a hot topic in the manager’s his Hammers press conference.
Indeed Potter’s response to a blunt Steidten question was very revealing against the backdrop of claims the German could follow Lopetegui out of the West Ham exit.
Steidten 50% gone at West Ham as Ashworth lined up
Now there has been a massive development in this story.
Because Steidten is 50% gone at West Ham as Dan Ashworth is lined up claims a board source.
When Potter was being linked with the London Stadium earlier this month, Hammers News suggested West Ham should reunite him with Ashworth as a replacement for Steidten.
Well now it seems that’s exactly what the Hammers board might do.
Sullivan ally and board source Sean Whetstone has spoken to key contacts at the club about Steidten.
And the German is now highly likely to leave the Hammers.
Whetstone claims his replacement could be ex Newcastle, Man United and Brighton sporting director Ashworth – who worked well with West Ham’s new manager during their time together at the Amex.
That may not be the only big change.
Steidten’s brother Moritz and fellow German Max Hahn were brought in by the current technical director.
It is safe to assume they would depart should he.
And West Ham plan to bring in a top recruitment chief from Chelsea who used to work with Potter or Ashworth.
Whetstone, who also counts West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady among his contacts, says Steidten is on ‘borrowed time’.
Sullivan ally says Steidten ‘on borrowed time’ at West Ham
“Sources close to the club have given the German no more than a 50 per cent chance of still being in post in June,” Whetstone said.
“Further revelations are emerging about Steidten’s relationship with the former head coach with Lopetegui’s team accusing the German of undermining him while in post.
“Although Steidten was originally involved in the interviewing of Graham Potter it was telling that Karren Brady took over the final negotiations in the last 48 hours of the deal with the technical director excluded.
“Steidten showed Potter around the Rush Green training ground yesterday afternoon introducing him to staff but was not included in many official club photos or videos of the new coach which is also telling.
“The board remain disappointed with last summer’s transfer dealings which Steidten oversaw, the money spent on Luis Guilherme and (Niclas) Fullkrug has been questioned together with the signings of Jean-Clair Todibo, Carlos Soler and Guido Rodríguez.
“Accounts released last week reveal West Ham spent £110m over the summer with a further £11m of potential add-ons on top of that.
“Graham Potter ducked a question about working with Tim Steidten yesterday during his press conference deciding a provide a politician’s answer stating everyone needs to work together.
“Should Graham Potter remain at West Ham next season we could yet see (top Chelsea scout) Kyle Macaulay or Dan Ashworth reunite with him at the London Stadium.”
Some feel Steidten has been unfairly criticised.
Especially as many of the signings made in the summer were allegedly pushed by the now departed manager.
Although as the man in charge of recruitment, the German should have been stronger and resisted if that was the case.
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