Jim White questions Tim Steidten decision at West Ham. Credit: talkSPORT / Imago

Jim White questions West Ham United decision live on air after Tim Steidten exit

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

04 Feb 2025, 12:10 pm

Jim White has questioned why West Ham United had not parted ways with technical director Tim Steidten earlier.

The Hammers confirmed [4 February] that the German will be leaving the London Stadium permanently after playing an "instrumental" role in the club's recruitment efforts.

With Graham Potter now bringing Kyle Macaulay to East London, having worked together closely at Chelsea, it was just a matter of time before Steidten's exit was announced.

Speaking live via talkSPORT [4 February, 10:49am], White said: "Why wait this long? Surely before appointing Potter, they should've said to Steidten 'Thanks, off you go'?"

Why did West Ham United wait so long to sack Tim Steidten?

He was asked to stay away from the training ground during Julen Lopetegui's reign [XX], and the same happened under David Moyes as the Scot was forced out of East London.

There was clearly a problem with the technical director, with supporters at the London Stadium becoming more and more frustrated by his presence, but David Sullivan continued to cling on. Why?

Sullivan is rarely one to make cut-throat decisions, proven when wanting to give Lopetegui more chances despite the Hammers drifting closer and closer to the relegation zone.

While Potter has not yet been able to overturn the disappointing results, the playing style has vastly improved and some supporters will feel unlucky not to have grabbed more points.

West Ham hired Graham Potter in January 2025. (Credit: Imago)

Steidten should have been sacked quite a while ago, rather than waiting for him to leave on his own accord, destroying everything in his path in East London as he undermined the last two managers.

White is absolutely spot on with his questioning but the comments are bound to be swept under the rug now that Steidten's exit has been confirmed.

In other West Ham news, Ricardo Pepi has agreed a contract after a £21million bid from the Hammers.

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Jim White

Tim Steidten

West Ham