By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Claret & Hugh have discovered within the last few minutes that the agreement for Steve Nickson to join West Ham is done and is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Nickson has officially left his role as Head of Recruitment at Newcastle United and has already had all the relevant meetings with two of Daniel Kretinsky’s associates, as well as speaking directly with the Czech billionaire himself.
Far-Reaching Powers
In an update which should provide a huge boost of encouragement to Hammers supporters, it has also been relayed to us today that Nickson will have far-reaching powers over player recruitment and has already begun the process of identifying transfer targets.
We asked specifically whether it would be Nickson or Nuno Espírito Santo who would have the final say on incoming players.
The response was unequivocal.
“Nickson is identifying players and already has some in mind.”
For supporters concerned that West Ham would revert to an agent-led approach to recruitment, it would appear the new regime are serious about putting football people in charge of football decisions.
Steve Nickson has agreed to join West Ham
Kretinsky Wants Key Players To Stay
It has also been reiterated that Daniel Kretinsky remains determined to retain as many key players as possible in order to get the club back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Whilst some departures are inevitable, the message coming from the new ownership structure remains consistent.
West Ham intend to build from a position of strength rather than conduct a fire sale.
Švarc Playing Key Role
We understand that Jiří Švarc has been heavily involved behind the scenes in recent weeks as Kretinsky’s right-hand man helps oversee the transition at the football club.
Taken together with plans for a new training ground, improvements to the London Stadium and the positive messaging surrounding the first-team squad, it all points towards a very different approach at West Ham.
And perhaps most encouraging of all, it suggests the days of one man trying to run every aspect of the football club could finally be coming to an end.
Hi Gonzo – is this a definite, mate ?
Keep reading Wrexham trying to hijack the deal.
Hopefully Nickson’s appointment has been discussed with Nuno (surely it has).
These two need to be on same platform and working in uniform.
Can’t have each trying to undermine the other.
Things all appear to be going great for future and this appointment has to be amicable.
Already experienced confliction when it comes to incoming players can’t happen this time.
👍 Agree! (apart from the bit where they have to wear uniforms😁)
I think Bowen might keep loyal, but as for Summerville and Fernandes they want bigger things and pay packets(only human) like the rest of us
We will see when the new seasons starts
Always hopeful
Who knows who might stay and get us back where we belong
And come on season ticket holders, let’s fill that stadium and show the world of football we are fans through thick and thin.
With his knowledge and experience, should be able to deal with NES/Mendes and possibly create a good working relationship. At least I hope, because if manager wants a big lump of a forward to get out of the Championship, but club wants a more versatile forward for now and following seasons, where is the compromise to be found?
There are some really strong guiding principles to be established I would have thought.
Reading article about how England have been such a hard watch for so many, many years and how against Croatia at last it was actually fun to watch, reminded me of WHU.
Been a hard watch for ages now, while there is a lot of exciting football being played nowadays and getting results.
Its mad that to be this positive all round we had to get relegated! , but a reset was desperately needed ..B&S on their toes, New chair at the helm, new DOF and plans for the bowl .. these are exciting times and had we survived relegation maybe none would’ve happened ?
Onwards Ammers’ 💪🏽
All the people who were writing how they hoped club would be relegated got it spot on!
It was not until the last few games where I thought that’s it, we deserve to be relegated. That relegation left BS nowhere to hide and it snowballed – brilliant.
At some stage we’ll have to come down off of cloud 9, but I hope NES, Paco and now Nickson will bring some excitement onto the pitch. Then it will be a complete reset at WHU! NES might take some convincing though…
That’s all we need and ask for. A competent professional setup for the team to flourish and the Claret and Blue Army to get behind.
COYI ⚒️
Kretinsky has serious professionals in his team. It’s really not hard for them to run things a lot better than they have been.
All looking promising Gonzo at long last
Hi Gonzo
I like yourself are really excited abt what’s happening to our great club .
With the new training facilities being mentioned the stadium reconfiguration and keeping key players in the hope that we can get back to the promised land .
I am really looking forward to going back this season COYISSSSSS ⚒️⚒️
Afternoon Michael, it is really exciting mate. Some really good things up ahead I think and I’m growing vey confident about keeping some players.