West Ham chief David Sullivan may have made the biggest mistake of his 15-year tenure as shock news emerges about sacked technical director Tim Steidten.
There has been an uneasy feeling among many West Ham fans about former technical director Tim Steidten.
It is difficult to recall a period in modern Hammers history when fans were as optimistic and excited as they were when the club finally went out and got a bona fide, respected recruitment specialist.
West Ham had tried and failed before with a director of football figure.
Both before David Sullivan’s arrival in 2010 – in the shape of Gianluca Nani – and since, with Mario Husillos and, under a different guise but with a similar remit, Rob Newman.
Many Hammers fans remain divided on whether the club made the right call sacking Steidten.
Were West Ham right to sack Steidten?
Given how dismal things have been at West Ham this season, the German had to take his share of the blame.
West Ham’s owners threw Steidten under the bus when his departure was officially announced back in February.
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Despite doubts to the contrary, the Hammers made it perfectly clear it was the former Bayer Leverkusen man who was in total control of last summer’s £155m spend.
Since his departure, which was dressed up as a mutual decision, many of Steidten’s signings have turned out to be among West Ham’s better performing players.
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the Hammer of the Year, Max Kilman overall has been a consistent performer with a lack of protection from midfield, Crysencio Summerville – until his injury – was hugely exciting and Niclas Fullkrug has become something of a fan favourite.
Jean-Clair Todibo has also started to look like an elite level centre-back in the making.
Even Luis Guilherme, whose £20m arrival saw Steidten heavily criticised and reportedly played a big role in his dismissal, has impressed in the odd cameo of late.
So much so West Ham fans want Guilherme to replace Mohammed Kudus.
Graham Potter has stated it’s time to start blaming West Ham’s players rather than Steidten and the managers.
Now it looks like Sullivan may have made his biggest West Ham mistake yet as shock Steidten news breaks.
Sullivan’s biggest mistake yet as shock Steidten news breaks?
With a huge summer transfer window looming large for the Hammers, it is imperative the club get it right.
Players must be sold, making the team even weaker. So it is vital signings not only get done but work out.
West Ham could be dicing with relegation if not. Especially with next season expected to be much more competitive than the previous two, where all three promoted sides have gone straight back down.
West Ham have ruled out replacing Steidten in the short to medium term with Kyle Macaulay now head of recruitment and Sullivan reprising his role as de facto director of football.
Macaulay is a talent spotter rather than deal maker, though.
Steidten has been linked with various clubs since leaving West Ham, including Crystal Palace.
Split image of Tim Steidten and David Sullivan.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Steidten could make West Ham look silly amid Barcelona talks
Now it seems he is about to embarrass Sullivan greatly by swapping one claret and blue club for another.
It has already been revealed that Steidten wanted to appoint compatriot Hansi Flick to replace David Moyes.
Flick also reportedly wanted the Hammers job.
It was claimed Sullivan snubbed Flick in favour of Julen Lopetegui because he didn’t feel his CV was right for West Ham and was not convinced he was the right man.
Flick has since led Barcelona to the league and cup double.
Now Steidten looks set to finally get his wish of working with Flick.
First Flick now Steidten, West Ham’s Barcelona nightmare
Because Football Espana quotes Fabrizio Romano claiming Steidten is in talks with Barcelona about heading up their recruitment team alongside Deco.
It is reported that Steidten and Deco share a strong relationship having worked together when the latter was an agent.
In talking up Steidten amid his expected arrival at the Camp Nou, the report states the ex West Ham man was key to deals for Bayer Leverkusen to sign Florian Wirtz – who is set for a potential world record transfer this summer – and Jeremie Frimpong, who is joining Liverpool for around £30m.
The reports state Saudi and Premier League clubs remain interested. But Barca are clearly in the box seat with the news coming on the same day it has been confirmed Flick is signing a new contract.
The only way this ends well for Sullivan and West Ham is if Steidten sends some of Barca’s money – which they always seem to find from somewhere – to east London for Mohammed Kudus.