Tim Steidten stance on Julen Lopetegui emerges as West Ham United sources speak out
West Ham United sources have denied that Tim Steidten was against the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, according to Sean Whetstone.
Whetstone reported via the West Ham Football X account on Tuesday (24 September) that reports suggesting the Irons chief had warned David Sullivan against the Spanish manager have been shut down.
The German was present at all the interviews the Irons conducted as they searched for David Moyes’ successor in East London and the decision to appoint the former Real Madrid boss as “unanimous” with stakeholders.
Will West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui after Tim Steidten update?
It was always unlucky that Steidten would have been against the appointment of Lopetegui as it feels unlikely that such a major decision would be made without the German’s seal of approval given his role in East London.
Steidten did have a poor relationship with Moyes towards the end of his tenure so it was always natural that suggestions of a rift with the new manager would emerge, even if they were unfounded.
Ultimately, what’s done is done now and the Hammers have made the decision to stand by their manager despite an underwhelming start to the campaign that has seen them break records at the London Stadium [Fabrizio Romano, 22 September].
Of course, no manager is ever completely safe from the sack in this day in age, but West Ham appear to be committed to sticking by the former Real Madrid boss as he continues to find his feet in East London and get back to grips with the Premier League.
Hopefully, any suggestions of a rift between Steidten and the rest of the decision-makers at the London Stadium can now be put to bed and attention can turn back to matters on the pitch as the Hammers look to get back to winning ways.
In other West Ham news, Simon Jordan has shared a new Lopetegui verdict after what happened at the London Stadium
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