Long-game Steidten winning power and influence

Steidten winning power and influence as Moyes comes out swinging

Tim Steidten appears to be winning the power battle with David Moyes for control at West Ham. The Hammers’ director of football has outlined his football philosophy and impressed chairman David Sullivan. With manager Moyes increasingly sounding defeated, Steidten has taken the responsibility to drive the club forward.

Yesterday, The Athletic published a detailed article suggesting that Steidten had led the pursuit of AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke. Perhaps most tellingly, it has been Steidten who has led the charge for contract rebel Ben Johnson to get a new deal at West Ham.

Steidten has clearly maneuverered himself into a position of influence at West Ham and will play a big role in deciding who succeeds David Moyes. The Hammers’ director of football may have played a long game, but it appears his patience has paid off.

I’m certainly far less concerned than I was two weeks ago with the situation. I’m convinced that Steidten has not only given the club a comfort blanket should Moyes depart suddenly. But he is also highly likely to steer the board away from any silly appointments like Rafa Benitez.

I’m in little doubt that Moyes’ contrived ‘unofficial’ statement yesterday has weakened his position. There was already a huge focus on Monday’s game against Brentford. However the manager has managed to turn the microscope on the London derby into a telescope and I doubt he’ll survive a heavy loss.

If that does happen, Tim Steiden has placed himself into a position of huge influence at West Ham and the future looks bright.