West Ham are to push ahead with the appointment of Tim Steidten as their new technical director. The German emerged as the leading candidate last week only for doubts to emerge over whether his arrival would be finalised. Insiders had insisted it had a 50% chance of going through last Friday.
However it is understood that the deal is on the verge of being agreed, handing West Ham a boost as they gear up for a busy summer in the transfer window. Steidten, who left Bayer Leverkusen in March, has made a positive impression during several rounds of talks and has met West Ham’s manager, David Moyes, on at least two occasions.
West Ham have been looking to add to their recruitment team after growing dissatisfied with their signings last summer and the appointment of a senior figure will raise doubts over the future of the club’s current head of recruitment, Rob Newman. Paul Mitchell, Lee Dykes, Lee Congerton, Tiago Pinto and Michael Edwards had also been considered for the role by West Ham, but the job is set to go to Steidten. The 44-year-old German held talks with Chelsea last September.
Steidten’s arrival will not affect Mark Noble’s role as sporting director. Noble, who called time on his playing career last year, began his new job in January and is still gaining experience. He has not objected to the restructuring and it is felt that West Ham need more resources in their recruitment team.
West Ham have made it clear to Steidten that his main focus this summer will be replacing Declan Rice. Arsenal have had two bids rejected for the midfielder and are preparing a third offer. West Ham want at least £100m for Rice. They have targeted Fulham’s João Palhinha, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Bristol City’s Alex Scott, who is also wanted by Wolves.
Sources have said the appointment of Steidten will come with the blessing of Moyes, who is staying as manager after leading West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League final. Moyes, who has a year left on his contract, normally likes to have a significant say in recruitment.
Meanwhile, Uefa has announced that West Ham fans will be banned from their next away match in European competition, with a further match suspended for two years.
The punishment comes after West Ham fans threw missiles on to the pitch during their Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina in Prague. The Italian club’s defender Cristiano Biraghi suffered a cut to the head from an object thrown from the crowd.