A week is a long time in politics and football. Just last week, West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten appeared out of nowhere to do a pre-match TV interview with TNT/BT Sport, smiling and waxing lyrical about the transfer window, the team and the possible outcomes against Chelsea.
At the time it seemed a muddying of the waters and I wonder whether it was ill judged: Usually the Coach or Manager gets to do the match day media.
Steidten might well have wished he hadn’t appeared smiling in front of the cameras, sharing in the limelight, about 3 minutes later as the first goal went in, and West Ham floundered in their unfamiliar shape, leaking goals and looking like boys against men.
Defeat was followed by an Anfield mauling – didn’t see out Technical Director’s face on TV at Anfield. Anybody?
The German now has a choice, and I don’t envy him. He can double down and turn up for another media session before the game tomorrow in support of his coaches’ position – I know but isn’t on Sky or TNT but he can still find away to “get himself out there” – even on WHUTV or the club’s Web Site – or he can skulk back up to the directors box at Brentford and leave Lopetegui to succeed or fail on his own.
It will tell us a lot about the current reality ‘behind the doors’ at West Ham to see if Steidten comes out (no, not that way) to support his coach or hangs him out to dry.
I’ll be watching, Tim. Your move.
What about Sully? He’s been far more shameful than Tim in his lie leaking lately. Disgusting. Not my owner. This is ALL his fault for wanting another clueless, cheap, dinosaur instead of up and coming youth like every other successful club who can’t attract the best. It’s basic business