Very little has changed regarding Tim Steidten’s position at West Ham, despite recent claims suggesting otherwise.
Back in November, Claret & Hugh reported that the Hammers’ director of football was operating with diluted responsibilities, and this remains the case.
Steidten played a role in the early stages of discussions with Graham Potter and Paulo Fonseca during the search for Julen Lopetegui’s replacement. However, the German was notably absent during final talks with Potter, which took AFTER the meeting at David Sullivan’s Essex residence.
His involvement in the club’s January transfer activity has been minimal. He may even feel relieved to have distanced himself from the failed bid for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.
The Irons’ director of football is still under scrutiny following what many deem as failures in securing Luis Guilherme, Niclas Füllkrug, and Jean-Clair Todibo this season. That said, it’s worth noting that Duran was Steidten’s preferred choice as striker during the summer when a different negotiating team came close to sealing the deal
Be interesting to see what actually changes if Stiedten goes. We already have transfer chaos with Sullivan taking the reigns.
I do feel Stiedten is the fall guy here. He was sent off to Brazil in the summer as Sullivan likes a cheap South American player as he sees that will bring flair to the club. Stiedten tried for Fabricio Bruno and Wesley Gassova, both were unsuccessful especially with Bruno wanting a higher salary. Stiedten opts for Luis as backup touted as the next Ronaldinho and the wonderkid from Brazil. Comes to West Ham, manager doesn’t play him and no opportunity to see what he can bring.
Add Fulkrug as the backup because Sullivan wouldn’t budge on Duran and that other funds were used on Summerville, Kilman and Todibo. Players who really didn’t get much chance under JLo, exception being Kilman who had to pair with the poor Mavrapanos. Granted Mavrapanos was also a Stiedten choice.
Let’s see what happens with Stiedten going, but would I want Sulli back in to find players that improve this club as he has done for his 10+ years here, no I don’t!
Once again Steidten comes under fire for little or no reason. His first signing was Guilherme who was allegedly bought as a “prospect”. The price tag was a bit high but only 20/20 hindsight has caused the criticism. Todibo has done nothing wrong, maybe not 100% PL ready to start with but a better prospect at CB than what we had and still is. Fullkrug was a last minute decision that could have gone either way, and again with hindsight he has turned out to be a poor signing. Given the patience that everyone had for that waste of space Lopetegui, the real cause of all these player problems, I don’t understand the calls for Steidtens departure. I still have not seen anyone define his role, so what is he being judged on. It seems most of the failures are where others (Sullivan) have involved themselves.
I feel Stiedten is being made the fall guy here Sullivan throwing his toys out the pram not getting hes way due to the sacking of loopy loo laying the blame elsewhere Its about time someone in that boardroom grew some and start sounding some home truths where the real blame and problems lay
If Steiden goes then Sullivan and Weat Ham deserve everything that will happen as a consequence. Perenial Championshp football is coming our way and I wonder how many Sullivan propaganda articles there will be then? Nothing will change until he is gone.
Potters not the right man
Can someone explain to me what Steidten has done wrong? I’m totally at a loss to see why there is so much anti-Steidten feeling from within the club.
What change of direction ? There is no change of direction. Sullivan makes deranged decisions that it’s impossible for anyone to work effectively within the same as has always been the case.
No Lopetegui no problem with Todibo. No Lopetegui no issue of Guliherme not being utilised properly. Pay a bit more for Duran no issue with Fullkrug.
The disasters all lead directly back to Sullivan.
Why do we always put the best that weve got at the back of the queue THATS WHY WE WILL ALWAYS BE AVERAGE STRANGE Stiedten is a brilliant negotiator but was dealing with a extremely poor manager Tried for Duran wasn’t backed signed a german int who wouldnt and brought some logic to our poorly run club Just look at the chaos going on now
For me the juries still out in Steidten.
Luis Guilherme was brought in with an eye to the future, yes £20M is a lot for untested talent, but has the kid really been given a chance, and as one for the future, were we expecting him to set the Prem on fire in his first season?
Even Bowen took a season to fully settle.
Killman was a Loppy pick, he’s doing ok, but was he worth £40M?
Todibo (hope I spelled this correctly), didn’t settle with the previous manager, but is undeniably talented.
Soler, he’s growing into the league.
Rodriguez, that for me is a miss, felt like a bargain but hasn’t played out that way.
Füllkrug was a panic buy after Sully wouldn’t cough up for Durran, which on hindsight was a huge screw up on Sullivan’s behalf.
Potter will want to bring in his own team and trusted advisors, which will push Steidten further to the fringes.
But it’s fair to say from what’s been pushed publicly, Stiedten didn’t want Loppy, having got Loppy, a few of his choices clashed with the manager.
But Kudus? Somerville (though Sully claims this one?)? They’ve not be too bad.
I think Steidten’s strength is his negotiating skills and to lesser extent his spotting of unexposed talented player’s. It’s feasible to have a new group of analysts working for Potter and still retain Steidten to pursue recommendations as a result of the data. It’s either going to evolve gradually or either the club or Steidten decide to end their association. Never a dull moment at Upton Park, oh yeah forgot we’ve moved on but not really!