Tim Steidten slammed for recent Julen Lopetegui decision at West Ham United
Chris Sutton has suggested that Tim Steidten is at fault for West Ham United's poor start under Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers lost their third home league game of the season for the first time in their history as they were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea at the London Stadium on Saturday (21 September).
While supporters have been quick to lay the blame at Lopetegui's door, BBC Sport pundit Sutton has suggested Irons' chief Steidten should be criticised for his decision to replace David Moyes with another "pragmatist".
Speaking on It's All Kicking Off on Monday (23 September, 22:15) he said: "This isn't on Lopetegui, this is on the decision-makers.
"I think the sporting director [Steidten], I think David Moyes banned him from the changing room and the training ground at the end of last season because he was actively going out and speaking to managers while Dvaid Moyes was still in the job.
"Then you think, well this guy is paid a lot of money to make the right appointment and I think we all expected a manager who would come in and play a more expansive brand of football.
"He's replaced like for like in terms of what both managers were and are. They're both pragmatists."
Could West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui after London Stadium developments this season?
When it was announced that it would be Lopetegui who took over from Moyes at the London Stadium, the appointment was met with plenty of scepticism from fans and pundits alike at the time.
While no one can argue with the former Real Madrid manager's extensive CV, there was a feeling that his style of football wasn't that different to Moyes' and therefore he wouldn't represent the change of style supporters were hoping for.
Although it is still early in the season and Lopetegui's tenure, those fears appear to have been realised. So far, there has been little evidence that the former Wolves boss is going to bring back the West Ham way in East London.
He cannot be blamed for that. The Hammers knew what sort of manager they were hiring when they appointed him and they cannot therefore be shocked by how the Irons have started the season.
Perhaps supporters should direct more of their frustration towards Steidten and the decision-makers, rather than Lopetegui.
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