Tim Steidten stance on Julen Lopetegui emerges amid West Ham United speculation
Fabrizio Romano admits “several sources” have told him that Tim Steidten is backing Julen Lopetegui “all the way” at West Ham United.
The Hammers boss has come under increased pressure early in his tenure at the London Stadium having only managed to register one win in his opening six Premier League matches in charge of the Irons.
Although some have suggested there is a rift between Lopetegui and Irons chief Steidten, transfer specialist Romano insists that everyone at the London Stadium remains on “the same page”.
Writing in his Daily Briefing column (2 October) Romano said: “Steidten is backing Lopetegui all the way.
“West Ham decided all together about their managerial appointment of Julen Lopetegui. Steidten, Sullivan, all together with Lopetegui since day one.
“They also coordinated in the transfer market with Lopetegui. All the rumours that Steidten advised Sullivan that Lopetegui wasn’t the man he wanted is just considered speculation.
“Several sources have confirmed this to me, so they’ve been all on the same page for months.”
Will West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui amid Tim Steidten developments at the London Stadium?
There has been so much talk and speculation in and around the London Stadium at the start of the new season and that has primarily stemmed from the Irons’ miserable start to the Premier League campaign.
West Ham made the bold call to not extend David Moyes’ deal at the end of last season and while that call divided the fanbase, the appointment of Lopetegui was just as divisive among supporters.
So far, the former Real Madrid manager hasn’t brought the attacking style of football back to East London that fans were pandering for and that has seen him come in for his fair share of criticism.
But for now, at least, it seems as though the decision-makers remain united behind the Spanish boss. The season is only a matter of games old and after a summer of mass player turnover, it was always going to take a while for this team to click into gear.
Hopefully, the Hammers will be able to head into the October international break with another win under their belt.
In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher has torn into one Hammers player for what he did in the clash with Brentford
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