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Tim Steidten helped back Julen Lopetegui with £132 million of spending last summer.
Former West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has taken a not so thinly veiled swipe at former technical director Tim Steidten in a fresh interview following his sacking at the London Stadium.
The Spaniard was dismissed at the start of January after just six months in charge with Graham Potter coming in to take the hot seat. Lopetegui struggled for consistency at West Ham but his troubles were put under even more pressure given the financial backing the former Wolves boss was given ahead of the campaign.
The Hammers splurged around £132 million on players ahead of the 2024/25 campaign but those stars have largely failed to deliver. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has no doubt been the standout but the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme have not set the league alight.
Julen Lopetegui takes swipe at Tim Steidten
Lopetegui worked with Steidten to bring those first team players in but, speaking in depth with Spanish outlet AS, the manager clearly did not see eye-to-eye with his former technical director. When asked about his relationship with Steidten, Lopetegui shut down the question.
He said: “I’m not going to speak about him. I’ve always had a good relationship with all the sporting directors I’ve worked with, even if we’ve had differences in opinion. I know a club can’t give the keys to a coach but I’ve always been a club man. For this, I prefer to forget this person, that’s the truth.”
Julen Lopetegui has spoken out after leaving West Ham.Julen Lopetegui has spoken out after leaving West Ham.
Julen Lopetegui has spoken out after leaving West Ham. | AFP via Getty Images
Steidten left his role at West Ham shortly after Lopetegui with his departure confirmed on February 4 as a result of Potter’s arrival. A short club statement explained: “West Ham United Football Club can confirm that Technical Director Tim Steidten will be leaving the Club. Tim has been instrumental in our recruitment efforts.
“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. We would like to thank Tim for his dedication and hard work and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
West Ham sporting director leaves in February
Steidten had previously worked as a technical director at Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen prior to his stint at West Ham. He is believed to have been particularly influential in the signings of Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and Konstantinos Mavropanos during his time at West Ham.
AS also asked Lopetegui how he was doing and if the injuries to Fullkrug and Michail Antonio were to blame for the team’s form when he was at West Ham. He said: “I’m doing well, I’ve got back time in other areas of life that you have to abandon when working as a coach. I’m spending a lot of time watching football and matches too. That’s just part of me. Now there’s more time to watch other leagues.
“[The Fullkrug and Antonio injuries] and the problem Bowen had - he was vital. A lot happened to us. We had two consecutive red cards for Kudus and Edson Alvarez, three and five games in a row. Fullkrug’s injury happened as soon as we arrived and lasted three or four months. And yet, after 18 games, we had 23 points.”
In other news, West Ham and Fulham have been handed a transfer blow with Crystal Palace in ‘advanced talks’ over a contract breakthrough.