Following the news that West Ham will appoint a director of football this season, it feels only right to highlight why this is so important to the club’s future.
Because, in truth, recruitment over the past few years has been nothing short of abysmal.
Costly mistakes cannot continue
West Ham have repeatedly lost money in the transfer market, signing players like Sébastien Haller and Felipe Anderson and taking heavy financial hits.
The Anderson deal alone saw the club lose around £30 million on a player who was completely unsuited to the Premier League.
Ironically, that signing came under a director of football structure, with Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos overseeing recruitment.
Most Read on West Ham News
But the issues go beyond that period.
Even loan deals have proved costly, with Kalvin Phillips’ short spell reportedly costing around £7 million — money the club will never recover.
Signs of a better approach
More recently, though, there has been a shift.
Players such as Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mahamadou Kanté have all increased in value since arriving.
That suggests a move towards a more sustainable model — targeting younger players with resale potential.
It’s the kind of strategy clubs like AFC Bournemouth and Brighton have executed brilliantly, consistently turning profits in the market.
Structure now more important than ever
It doesn’t really matter who was responsible for those signings — whether it was Kyle Macaulay, Tim Steidten or anyone else.
The key point is those individuals are no longer at the club.
With West Ham carrying significant debt, borrowing against future income and even cashing in on transfer instalments early, recruitment has to be smarter.
Buying players who increase in value is no longer optional — it’s essential.
January was different — but not the model
Of course, the January window was a different scenario.
West Ham were in the relegation zone and needed immediate solutions. Players like Axel Disasi, Adama Traoré and Taty Castellanos were brought in to address that . . . and let’s be honest, it’s worked very well indeed.
But that kind of short-term, reactive spending cannot become the long-term plan.
Why a director of football matters
This is where a director of football becomes crucial.
It creates continuity.
Instead of rebuilding the squad every time a manager changes, the club builds towards a clear identity — and appoints coaches who fit that model.
That reduces the need for expensive overhauls and creates stability.
Cautious optimism — with reason
I’ll admit, there’s still a level of scepticism about whether the club will follow through.
But I’ll allow myself a bit of optimism.
After all, the line about David Sullivan and Karren Brady being “analogue owners in a digital age” wasn’t mine — but I wish it had been.
Because it’s accurate.
If West Ham are finally moving away from that model, then it could mark a genuinely important step forward