‘Three Way Power Battle’ is Wide of The Mark

Time to pour oil on troubled waters being stirred from some heavyweight sources just now.

‘Never let the truth get in the way of a good story’: Some national on-line and print newspapers are dusting off their ‘Crisis at West Ham United’ files just in case losses continue to mount, by way of claiming that the trio running the club are already at odds just five Premier League games into the season.

From messages seen by Claret and Hugh from the club’s ‘highly placed source’ inside London Stadium, it is evident that the sensationalist claims of discontent and ‘power battles’ are wide of the mark.

Today’s Daily Mail leads with their banner headline: “West Ham’s three-way power battle threatening to derail the club” and claims :“Lopetegui’s appointment was driven by owner David Sullivan, not Steidten, who would have preferred a more dynamic coach.” Presumably to imply the rift between Chairman David Sullivan and Tim Steidten, the club’s Technical Director.

However as our source pointed out to us yesterday, the two were in agreement of the appointment of the head coach and the idea of a rift is wrong:  “100% he [Steidten] was at the interviews of the prospective manager and the decision to appoint Julen Lopetegui was unanimous.”

So, whilst there are undoubtedly troubles on the pitch, in the area of the coaches’ selection and appointment, the idea of a power struggle is way wide of the mark. The Club’s senior pairing selected Lopetegui unanimously which prevents any speculation about a rift.

An upturn in performances will come, probably not at Anfield tonight but more likely in the Premier League matches to follow which will render the headlines more ‘storm in a teacup’ rather than ‘three way power struggle’ – although it probably won’t create as many ‘clicks’.

And yes, C and H reader ‘Jerry Myer’ – my quote at the headline of this article is Mark Twain again, unless you’d like to take issue once more…