It was around February when rumours of the Director of Football role returning to West Ham United first began surfacing.
At a Fans’ Advisory Board meeting, then vice-chair Karren Brady confirmed the Hammers were actively looking for a full-time head of football operations.
When doubt was cast on that pledge, the FAB sought further clarification and the club doubled down, being unequivocal in stating that a Director of Football would be appointed at the end of the season.
Following relegation to the Championship, West Ham have issued two statements. The first was vaguely apologetic, while the second contained more detail and promised once again to rebuild and restructure.
Yet here we are.
The Clock Is Ticking
Other clubs are signing players and putting plans in place, while West Ham still don’t have a Director of Football.
My personal favourites for promotion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have been preparing for Championship football for months and already appear well into the process of strengthening their squad.
Meanwhile, West Ham seem paralysed, still unable to appoint the very person who is supposed to oversee recruitment.
At this point, I’m not sure what’s more concerning.
The fact we’ve effectively handed our rivals a significant head start in the transfer market.
Or the possibility that we could start signing players before a Director of Football is appointed, meaning a return to the old methods of favoured agents and short-term fixes.
Promises Need To Become Actions
The minted Daniel Kretinsky appears to have changed little at West Ham
The rumour is that a new Director of Football will be in place by the end of this week.
But as Claret & Hugh reported on Monday, the clock is ticking.
West Ham made initial approaches for two candidates last week and both were rejected.
There was little doubt in my mind that last season West Ham were hindered by how slowly they got moving in the transfer market.
As things stand, despite all the talk of change, rebuilding and restructuring, it appears that very little has actually changed at all.
Absolutely nothing has changed. As I said the other day, Sullivan is still there, as is Kretinsky, who as far as I can recall has done nothing in almost 5 years on the board. Even if a DoF is appointed tomorrow, there is no indication that they will have any authority on any club matters. Anyone accepting that position will need to have a very carefully worded contract in place. As things stand, more of the same is the most likely way forward.
It all stems from Sulivan. I think he’s lost his marbles but we need him gone, shame it isn’t going to happen and nither is returning to the Premiership. Well not for a long time!
Sullivan will do whatever he can behind the scenes to scupper or delay this. Nuno will no doubt insist all players are arranged through Mendes. This will just lead to a statement in mid August ‘We tried but could not find a DOF of the quality needed’. This will then be followed by another statement that ‘the Chairman has stepped in to save our recruitment’ and the usual Sully specials will come out of retirement to sign for us.
Hi gonzo, I’m beginning to think the clubs statement regarding openness and restructuring actually equates to max Hahn going, sulli, his preferred agents and mendes controlling transfers yet again. What they really meant by openness was, it’s business as usual and you lot better just suck it up yet again as this model has worked so brilliantly for us over the past decade and why aren’t you grateful to the dear leader?