West Ham chief Tim Steidten angry at being overruled by club after missing out on Duran transfer and top boss choice
WEST HAM’S sporting director Tim Steidten is frustrated at being overruled on key decisions at the London Stadium.
The German played a key role as the Hammers spent £155million on nine summer signings but many of his targets were missed.
Steidten is unhappy the Irons did not finalise a deal for Aston Villa’s in-form striker Jhon Duran.
He also wanted to sign Lille forward Jonathan David but the board were unwilling to meet the asking price.
SunSport can also reveal Steidten put forward a list of candidates to replace David Moyes as manager.
It featured Julen Lopetegui, Fabian Hurzeler and the Portuguese trio of Sergio Conceicao, Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca.
Steidten liked Hurzeler but others at the club felt he was too young.
The 31-year-old instead switched German side St Pauli for Brighton and has started well.
West Ham in contrast have struggled under Lopetegui, although his position is not under immediate threat.
There is not thought to be any tension in the relationship between Steidten and Lopetegui, as was the case with his predecessor Moyes.
Moyes took the extraordinary step of banning Steidten from the dressing room towards the end of last season.
West Ham are renowned for giving managers time and retain faith in Lopetegui.
Moyes came through several difficult periods when he was being lambasted by fans last season before the club decided not to offer him a new contract at the end of the campaign.
Only two West Ham managers – Manuel Pellegrini and Slaven Bilic – have been sacked during the season in the last 17 years.