David Ornstein has made a claim about technical director Tim Steidten after West Ham’s big Julen Lopetegui decision.
It is the end of an era for David Moyes and West Ham.
David Sullivan has chosen his man with Julen Lopetegui now set to take over having had the rug pulled from under his feet by AC Milan.
The news has not been universally welcomed by Hammers fans who craved an innovative, modern manager to succeed Moyes.
A manager like Ruben Amorim – who had talks with West Ham two weeks ago.
Reports had claimed West Ham technical director Tim Steidten and sporting director Mark Noble had been pushing for Amorim but Sullivan wanted Lopetegui.
Reports claim Sullivan chose Lopetegui
If Sullivan wants something you can usually bet your bottom dollar the majority of West Ham fans won’t be in agreement. That is just the tumultuous nature of the relationship between the majority owner and the Hammers fanbase.
Reporting around that situation has left fans asking why the club have Steidten and Noble involved in the process if they do not have a genuine influence over decisions?
Indeed many fans are fearing the decision may even impact Steidten’s future at West Ham.
Amorim tolled the death knell on West Ham’s hopes of luring him by committing his future to Sporting for next season.
No sooner had that news emerged from Portugal this morning than it was being widely claimed Lopetegui had agreed to take over from Moyes.
But a top ITK journalist has just shared some very interesting news on the 57-year-old’s appointment.
Ornstein claim about Steidten after Lopetegui decision
And it may change a few minds, on the way the decision was reached at the very least.
David Ornstein has made a claim about Steidten after West Ham’s Lopetegui decision.
Writing on The Athletic, Ornstein claims Steidten not only fully endorses the appointment of Lopetegui but he was very much actively involved in it.
“A deal is yet to be signed, but Lopetegui has emerged as the club’s top managerial choice and West Ham are close to landing him,” Ornstein says.
“West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten was tasked with leading the recruitment process in case the club needed to make a managerial change and terms were discussed with multiple candidates.”
We told you days ago that Sullivan had chosen Lopetegui having been ‘won over’ by the Spaniard.
And Ornstein says Steidten was also impressed during the recruitment process.
Steidten fully endorses new Hammers boss
The Hammers board as a whole are also reportedly encouraged by Lopetegui’s unbeaten record as Spain boss and the fact he won the Europa League and secured three consecutive top four finishes at Sevilla.
West Ham fans will give Lopetegui a fair crack of the whip.
Just as the club’s owners – Moyes included – give their managers time.
But Lopetegui will have to prove he can be a manager who can implement a change in style and ethos across the club which can stand West Ham in good stead for years to come.
Not just another boss living in the moment, only making signings for the here and now and worrying about the next result over a long-term plan.
West Ham fans looking for further reassurance should also see what Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has had to say about his compatriot joining the Hammers.