As the media mud slinging moves into a higher gear – and we are only four games into the Premier League season for heavens sake, some of the inner workings of West Ham United’s decision making process, chain of leadership and individual responsibilities have been exposed to scrutiny.
With media outlets chattering away yesterday regarding the appointment of Lopetegui himself – see Gonzo’s article this morning – our associate Editor Sean Whetstone asked Claret and Hugh’s highly-placed source within West Ham for clarification of several points- one of which covered the targeting and choice of players to buy during the summer transfer window just gone.
In a fascinating insight revealed exclusively to Claret and Hugh this morning, the source confirmed:
” Tim [Steidten] Picked all of the players we signed this Summer”..
That, in itself is remarkable and underlines The German’s position of power within the club: Clarification too – vital to note especially in this run of ‘challenging results’ – that Lopetegui’s role is just to coach, rather than selecting new players who joined this Summer.
Also, of course, undeniably it confirms Steidten’s joint responsibility for the whole Hammers’ project as his ‘picks’ from the transfer window are on the training pitch, the team sheet and on the bench. It is impossible to single out Lopetegui as the Spaniard is working with players he didn’t – necessarily – play any part in recruiting.
One can understand, more, now, perhaps, his anguished gestures and sense of frustration on the touchline, only too apparent this weekend.
Actually I think the head coach himself deserves a little more ‘slack’ now – since he is working with raw materials selected for him by the Technical Director. Whether Lopetegui had input, or gave a ‘steer’ – we don’t yet know – but it is abundantly clear from the high-ranking source’s message to Sean that Steidten had the pick and made the decisions this Summer.
So clearly he also shares in their success- or otherwise. I’ll bet there are interesting phone conversations between the German and the Spaniard going on at the moment, especially regarding the fitness, toughness, suitability or otherwise of Jean-Clair Todibo who was brought to the club by Tim Steidten only to be held back from selection by Lopetegui!
I don’t believe Kilman was not a Lopetegui singing ( although we were interested in him last season as maybe he was a Sullivan pick?). Regardless of who chose the signings it’s the Manager who decides who plays and what tactics are used. The amount of time & effort in pursuing Tobido makes it ridiculous he is being used to warm the bench
You are probably right , but why are the players mostly switched off. apart from being told to do work which they know they are least successful at ?
Steidten obviously picked the Ferrari it’s the granny driving it loopy dayglow that’s the problem ,,having sat dismayed thru Saturdays game against the buns (Chelsea) I got the impression the team isn’t playing for him?
I simply don’t believe that the COACH has had no SIGNIFICANT imput in the selection process. that alone would have been a NAIVE error of judgement by STEIDTEN and the club. with the exception of the S.A. youngster for an exorbitant sum as a long term prospect. there have been a number of short term fixes . which would have been a coaches priority , who is working under EXTREME PRESSURE. A principal I would totally disagree with of course because it A) clouds the mind . and B) it will prove to be very costly with a high risk of failure!!
I would find it hard to believe that Lopetegui didn’t have any input in player selection during the transfer window. Particularly in the case of Kilman, who Lopetegui made captain at Wolves.
“we are only four games into the Premier League season for heavens sake”
Wrong, Martin. I think you’ll find we are FIVE games in! You’re welcome.
thank you!early mornings and no caffeine.
Understood if the fifth game wasn’t 3 days ago, just another mistake.