Tim Steidten’s £100m-plus spend flops as questions behind scenes at West Ham United emerge
Tim Steidten’s recruitment has been called into question internally at West Ham after his £100million-plus summer spend, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist reported via the paper’s website on 21 October that the technical director has been in the spotlight behind the scenes amid the collective failings of Julen Lopetegui’s side.
The German went about signing 10 new players during the transfer window, and was particularly influential in the move to bring in Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug who has not scored yet and remains out with a “persistent” achilles injury.
A lack of speed in midfield has also been highlighted as well as the poor defensive record despite three new arrivals in Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
West Ham Zone understands suggestions that Steidten himself was unhappy about some moves during the summer are incorrect.
Julen Lopetegui facing sack questions at West Ham
It remains possible that all the right moves were made by the Irons in the summer and it will just take time for it to all come together.
But the season is reaching a point where early growing pains should be getting straightened out and yet so many of the same issues persist.
If things don’t change it is bound to be the manager who carries the can first, not least since Steidten quickly rose to such a prominent position under chairman David Sullivan and ultimately saw off David Moyes despite reported clashes over transfers [90min].
But after multiple signings were made this summer, which on paper looked very encouraging, and yet have seen the club go backwards it is perhaps no surprise he is now coming under some pressure too.
Even if the failure to put the likes of Fullkrug, Kilman, Guido Rodriguez and Crysencio Summerville together properly is mainly Lopetegui’s fault it still reflects poorly on Steidten who played a role in appointing him.
Nobody is coming out of the current mess looking great, but if they can’t turn it around soon and the current patience in the manager runs out it would be two managers seen off in quick succession under Steidten and the start of a pattern that might ultimately come back to bite him too.
In other West Ham news, Sky Sports pundits have clashed on air over extended punishment for a Hammers ace.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.