Graham Potter, Manager of West Ham United, claps during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Leicester City FC at London Stadium on February 27, 2025 in London, England.Graham Potter, Manager of West Ham United, claps during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Leicester City FC at London Stadium on February 27, 2025 in London, England.
Graham Potter, Manager of West Ham United, claps during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Leicester City FC at London Stadium on February 27, 2025 in London, England. | Getty Images
West Ham United are on the hunt for a new sporting director
West Ham United are back in Premier League action on Monday night as they prepare to host Newcastle United at the London Stadium. The Hammers have had a break from action due to the fifth round of the FA Cup taking centre stage last weekend.
Graham Potter’s side have hit some form, beating Arsenal and Leicester City in their last two games without conceding a goal. The Irons won the earlier meeting with Newcastle this season as they claimed a 2-0 victory St James’ Park. Potter will be eager for his side to continue their strong form as they head to Goodison Park on March 15 in their final outing before the international break.
The Hammers confirmed the departure of technical director Tim Steidten last month and despite adding a head of recruitment to their ranks - a man who has worked at Brighton, Newcastle United and Manchester United is being tipped for a role at the London Stadium.
West Ham ‘working on deal’ to appoint Ashworth
West Ham are ‘working on a deal’ to name Dan Ashworth as their next sporting director. That is according to Football Insider, with Ashworth out of work after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent.
Ashworth and Potter worked together at Brighton and could be reunited at the London Stadium. Kyle Macaulay has already been named West Ham’s new head of recruitment after working with Potter at Ostersunds, Swansea City, Brighton and Chelsea.
Ashworth left Brighton for Newcastle in 2022 but was heavily pursued by the Red Devils, who agreed to pay compensation to get the former England Director of Development to Old Trafford. However, after just five months in Manchester, Ashworth left the club by mutual consent back in December. He had been involved in the decision to stick with Erik ten Hag in the summer. The ex-Ajax boss was later sacked after a defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium.
Why did Steidten leave West Ham?
It was not made clear by West Ham why Steidten left the club last month, but in their statement to announce his departure they did say: “With the arrival of our new Head Coach Graham Potter, who has brought in his own Head of Recruitment, it is time for Tim to pursue new opportunities.”
Steidten was asked by David Moyes to stay away from the club’s training ground at the end of last season while he also had a fall out with Julen Lopetegui during the Spaniard’s final few weeks at the club.
The German joined the Hammers in the summer of 2023 after leaving Bayer Leverkusen. He was responsible for the club’s recruitment strategy. With Macaulay already working as head of recruitment it is unclear what exact role Ashworth could have with West Ham - if a deal is done.
In other news, a Newcastle United star has opened up on a major injury blow ahead of Premier League games with West Ham United & Brentford.