West Ham confirmed the departure of Technical Director Tim Steidten shortly after Graham Potter took the helm as the club’s new head coach.
While a significant portion of West Ham’s fanbase reportedly welcomed the news of Steidten’s departure, the former director has since publicly defended the work he did at London Stadium.
Despite a number of questionable acquisitions, some of which aren’t expected to remain at the club for long, he cited the potential of players such as Luis Guilherme as evidence of a well-considered, long-term transfer strategy.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Steidten shared his views on the timescale required for a comprehensive squad rebuild.
He said: “I believe it takes eight to 10 transfer windows to change a squad. I told the owner that clearly.
“This has been a long-term project. At least, that was what I gave to the club. My task was to build something in the long term, which also needs young players.”
Tim Stiedten West Ham
But Stiedten’s projected timeline for rebuilding the squad has been met with scepticism from various quarters. Fans believe that a more rapid transformation is possible, pointing to the successful recruitment models employed by clubs like Brighton and Brentford, who famously prioritise acquiring young, high-potential players.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the effectiveness of some signings made during Steidten’s tenure. The likes of Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez and Wes Foderingham are clear examples of signings that do not necessarily align with a long-term focus on developing young talent.
Unsurprisingly, questions have also been raised regarding the coherence of Steidten’s long-term vision, particularly in light of the number of signings he made last summer.
Moving forward, there is considerable positivity surrounding the impact of Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay on West Ham’s recruitment strategy. Many anticipate that their expertise will bring a different approach to squad building in the upcoming transfer windows, especially given the success they both had at Brighton.