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Why Steidten’s departure might be a step in the right direction for West Ham

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West Ham have confirmed the departure of technical director Tim Steidten after a year and a half year at the club.

The German joined the club as technical director from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2023 and has been instrumental in signing players such as Mohammed Kudus, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Niklas Fullkrug and Crycensio Summerville.

There was much excitement surrounding the appointment of the German and his no-nonsense approach in signing players, bringing in the likes of Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse in his first window, which all became regulars in the 2023/24 campaign.

However, his perhaps imposing role in the club started to show signs of affecting the operations behind the scenes.

At the end of last season, former boss David Moyes asked Steidten to stay away from the training ground, while this season there was a reported falling out between the German and recently sacked Julen Lopetegui.

Macauley in, Steidten out

There is no denying that Steidten has brought in some talented players to the side which might have not been possible if he wasn’t at the club, but it personally feels like there should always be a healthy relationship between technical directors and managers so that signings can be made smoothly and in a cooperative manner.

But with the fractures being shown in the club as a result of Steidten’s presence, it would suggest this perhaps wasn’t happening.

It feels obvious to say clubs should always sign players which the manager wants, but with Steidten’s influential role in transfer windows, you could speculate this wasn’t happening, particularly with Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham appointed Kyle Macauley as head of recruitment on 9 January who previously worked with Graham Potter at four different clubs, which highlights the strong relationship the pair have.

In what’s been a challenging and turbulent season so far for West Ham with results falling below par, a change felt inevitable, and this complete makeover of coaches and recruitment staff feels like a breath of fresh air.

In a season where a European place is looking out of reach for the Hammers, it’s important that the club finish the season on a high, and West Ham fans will hope in the summer the club will sign players that will both bring quality to the side, but also are players that both Potter and Macauley want to work with.

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