Winds of Change Blowing Through West Ham

The ‘Lopetegui and Steidten’ era has already seen major changes in the structure of West Ham United: Moving away from the traditional ‘Manager’ option after several poorly judged transfers and placing Tim Steidten at the helm is surely a master stroke.

The recruitment last runner of players of the calibre of Kudus and Alvarez together with this summer’s stunning additions of Todibo, Max Kilman, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville are evidence of just how far the club has come in a short time.

Now the wind of change has progressed to the West Ham United Academy itself. In another move which will be welcomed by fans and youth players, Kevin Keen has been appointed  overall head of academy coaching, marking his progression from coaching the Under 18’s during their hugely successful recent history.

Keen is a former Hammers’ player, with ten years at the club and three spells as caretaker-manager: He is a former League One ‘Manager of The Month’ nominee from his days at Colchester and has immense experience in his coaching career. Former Hammer Zavon Hines now coaches the under 18’s along with Lauris Coggin.

Appointing Keen to head of academy coaching  is a sound move, after what has been a very succesful few years for West Ham’s junior teams: During the 22/23 season West Ham’s under-18’s won 26 out of 30 games in all competitions, winning the Under 18 PL South and the FA Youth Cup, beating Arsenal 5–1 at the Emirates Stadium ( what a result THAT was) to lift the trophy for the fourth time, which Keen described as ‘his proudest moment’ in over 40 years of football.