If West Ham fans thought they loved Tim Steidten already wait until they read this from the club’s new signing.
Modern football can be a very fickle industry and West Ham are not immune.
It says a lot that West Ham’s hierarchy had to defend technical director Tim Steidten last week when it was claimed he was ‘under pressure’ after seeing two deals collapse and another hit turbulence in Brazil.
Steidten had spoken of his ‘euphoria’ about having ‘full control’ of West Ham’s scouting and transfers from this summer.
But that brings it’s own pressures.
Most Hammers fans believe Steidten is what their club has needed for years.
And they believe he is the perfect man to be leading West Ham’s major overhaul this summer.
Steidten faced pressure amid Samba struggles
But when he saw moves for Wesley Gassova and Fabricio Bruno fall through and then Luis Guilherme’s encounter problems, the knives were quickly out in the press and among some supporters.
Being a football club director heading up recruitment and transfers at the top level is no cake walk.
West Ham legend and sporting director Mark Noble will be the first to admit that. He soon realised he was not cut out for that role just a few months into his job.
So West Ham’s majority owner David Sullivan went and hired Steidten to take the lead on transfers and recruitment.
The German impressed so much with his acquisitions of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez that he even earned his own terrace chant from West Ham fans.
When a move for Palmeiras teenager Guilherme hit problems, though, Steidten knew his reputation could be on the line.
So he headed straight back to Brazil to get it over the line.
It has since been revealed that West Ham beat five elite European clubs to the signing of Guilherme.
If you thought you loved Steidten already wait until you read this
It was further vindication for the club’s coveted technical director.
But if West Ham fans thought they loved Steidten already wait until they read this.
Just as West Ham looked to be closing on the 18-year-old midfield sensation, another club was trying to hijack the move.
That has since been confirmed by a Hammers insider.
But speaking about the situation, Guilherme revealed the lengths Steidten went to in order to persuade him West Ham was the right next step for his career.
“I also want to thank everyone at West Ham, particularly Tim and his team who came to Brazil, and not only talked with me, but also with my family,” Guilherme told the club’s website.
Steidten shows true commitment to Hammers rebuild
“They presented the project, and both my family and I liked it.
“So, I’m very happy to be signing with this club and hope to contribute as much as possible. If things go well, we have a beautiful journey ahead.”
It takes nearly 12 hours to fly from London to Brazil.
Steidten had already been there to work on the previous deals which hit the buffers.
But the fact he was then willing to fly all the way back and then show real class by speaking with Guilherme’s family, reassuring them about West Ham’s plans for their son, shows not only how highly he rates the player but how committed he is to improving the Hammers.
If his work at Bayer Leverkusen and last summer’s signings haven’t already convinced people that West Ham are lucky to have Steidten, then maybe this will.