Change is clearly underway at West Ham, with recent days shedding light on Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui’s roles in transfer recruitment.
Curious about Mark Noble’s potential involvement in identifying new signings, I reached out to Claret & Hughâs top source at the London Stadium. Noble, the former Irons captain, had been rumoured to have influenced the transfers of Edson Ălvarez and Mohammed Kudus. However, while C&H sources have never confirmed Nobleâs role in those Ajax deals, I felt it was worth asking if he might play a part in future recruitment.
The response was unequivocal:
âNo, he tends to advise on academy matters and the loaning out of academy players. He wonât have watched many live games this season except for WHU matches and our academy fixtures. He does a vital job with the younger, homegrown players.â
And there you have it. As it stands, player recommendations will come from Steidten, with potential targets being presented to the board. David Sullivan retains the ultimate power of veto.
It would be fair to say that the majority of the West Ham board have been less than impressed with money wasted during the summer transfer window. As a result, whilst the Hammers posted profits of over ÂŁ5om in last years accounts, next years are expected to deliver a significant loss.
The last summer window was a good one in terms of players brought in. TIim Steidten has done well for the club. I was hardly ‘money wasted’. It is worrying to read that the people running the club can be so utterly blind. The money was wasted regularly and in vast amounts PRIOR to the last transfer window, and we all know this. Kilman, Wan Bissaka and Summerville were excellent buys, and Todibo will be too in my view. ‘Money wasted’? Hardly. Tim Steidten has been a very positive influence and the fans get this.
anyone can get 3 right Stiendtens choice were all old and crocks it appears by reading this article that M Nobel chose the ones you mentioned Steindtens choices all apparently want to leave says so much about him lies to get them through the door maybe
Yep, no long term vision or plan. No proper DOF to execute long term plan that helps identify type of manager/coach and players needed. A committee sprocess to make player choices to deflect / spread blame. All equates to abysmal or non existent leadership from Sullivan and vision leading to a very high chance of wasting a lot of money on coaches and players. And there is a huge body of evidence supporting this waste during the 14 years Sullivan has been in control.
Great leaders set the long term plan, do not make player recruitment decisions. They entrust a prioer DOF, use data analytics exclusively to identify player, coaches, provide resources ( budgets ), listen to their people and ensure everyone throughout the club is aligned. Ensure that the youth and development of young players is a central part of the plan. Above all else, great leaders then âget the hell out of the wayâ. We will never, ever progress with Sullivan. He is a commander, dictator not a leader
Potter and Ashworth is the way forward. But the overall key to any success is Sullivan staying out of things and letting the people hired to oversee football matters get on with it.
Anyone who thinks the power of veto from Sullivan didnât exist last season is kidding themselves.
He is way too involved and his ego wonât allow himself to step away and put in place a structure which means his investment is protected but without his involvement.
Most owners stay away from the limelight and those that donât their clubs tend to suffer with the exception of those with very deep pockets who can continue to spend until something sticks.
No change will come as the club are being valued way too high otherwise the Gold shares (still up for sale) wouldâve been bought.
Lets consider last window…
Kilman – I’d say he was a good buy.
Summerville – Another good buy.
Wan Bissaka – Another good buy.
Todibo – Another good buy.
Kante – Went straight out on loan so pass.
Rodriguez – In on a free but I believe a significant sign on fee, has not been a good acquistion but should get the money back as only about three million.
Guilherme – Was bought as a prospect not as a first team player so I don’t understand the surprise that he’s had only cameo appearances, that’s exactly what I expected.
Foderingham – Free third choice keeper, I can’t see any issue.
Soler – Has played frequently, season long loan, Is there an obligation to buy ? I don’t think there is so I can’t see an issue.
Fullkrug – We should have paid a bit extra for Duran in which case Fullkrug would not have been needed. Money probably will be wasted with Fullkrug but whose fault is that Mr Sullivan.
There’s ten players there is too many for any one window shows amateurish club recruitment policy, but where’s the wasted money other than with Fullkrug which is down to Sullivans penny pinching.
We’re being sold an old wives tale aren’t we. The bad money wasting decisions were Lopetegui and not paying a bit more for Duran.
No the blame has to lie with Sullivan and his constant meddling
The point I was making is that the blame does lie with Sullivan and that he does meddle. Lopetegui was the worst decision of the window, next worse was not paying a bit extra for Duran. Without that no need for Fullkrug.
Totally agree. Way too many signings needed post Moyes for there not to be a few misfits. The two major concerns which shouldâve been spotted were a striker which didnât fit the way we supposedly wanted to play under JL, and a midfield with no pace.
I still didnât understand the Brazilian lad if we genuinely did pay ÂŁ20m plus on the basis weâre not Madrid or Barcelona with enough funds to drop ÂŁ20m into a prospect. I hope he comes good and is worth ÂŁ100m plus in a few years but itâs a massive risk for a club like ours
Also where are these âgemsâ from Tim. AWB was a steel at the price we got him for. Besides that im not sure I see too much value for money.
Steidten is supposed to be able analyse data and in that way identify hidden pearls. That takes time though so no chance of doing it when you’ve got ten to bring in plus outgoings too.
There’s not going to be value for money when you need to bring ten in, when sellers know that, and when you have no time due to the urgency.
There shouldn’t be urgency, that was the clubs poor long term recruitment policy shooting itself in the foot. We should be replacing players a few at a time not we’ve got to get ten in before the window closes – That’s amateur.
I think they overdid it a little John. We didnât need ten. Guido no better than JWP. Brazilian lad no different to having Earthy in and around the first team squad as a prospect. Solar jury still out. Mav brought prior window but really no better than Aguerd.
The urgency was CB and Striker. The German is on Tim, albeit signed off by Sully.
Ultimately too many cooks with old McDonald sitting at the top so change badly needed.
John…..kante đ¤
NOBLE for manager,that’s what I say
Nothing will change while Sullivan has the last word on transfers his constant meddling is costing us time and time again the sooner he and Brady are gone the better it will be for the club . Sullivan doesnât care about the club the players and the fans his only interest is how much money he can make I know that clubs need to make a profit where they can but most clubs spend wisely unlike us at West Ham there seems like there is no long term plan and thatâs probably why Sullivan is happy to let JLo stay as manager because he canât see further than the end of his big interfering nose the way West Ham is run means that getting to the next level is very unlikely to happen
Get Harry Redknap….. He ALWAYS has his ear to the ground and is a brilliant scout.
Redknapp, bwahahahaha.
Who can forget the great signings of Titi Camara, Rigobert Song, Gary Charles and many other deadbeats,
Quite right too. He has an important job to do and doesn’t need to get involved in this. Don’t we have enough cooks in the broth already?
Communism gone mad…6 to change a lightbulb!!