Exclusive: Ashworth’s West Ham move hinges on Sullivan stepping back ahead of key decision.

Frustrated with how West Ham’s hefty £155 million summer spending spree was handled, majority owner David Sullivan took decisive action by stripping Tim Steidten of his responsibilities ahead of the January transfer window.

 

Dissatisfied with the club’s recruitment strategy, Sullivan opted to reclaim control over transfer dealings.

 

This decision coincided with the dismissal of manager Julen Lopetegui, and it wasn’t long before Steidten followed suit.

 

While West Ham officially announced Steidten’s departure only on Tuesday morning—after the closure of the winter transfer window—the reality is that the German had already parted ways with the club weeks earlier.

 

During that period, as negotiations over his contract termination were ongoing, Steidten’s access to both the club’s premises and internal systems was revoked.

 

Effectively sidelined, he reportedly spent two weeks sightseeing around London before his departure, feeling a sense of relief at leaving his role behind.

 

Steidten has come under scrutiny for his part in assembling what is now the oldest squad in the Premier League.

 

However, his tenure also demonstrated his ability to secure key signings. Despite facing strong competition for multiple targets, the former Bayer Leverkusen sporting director played a pivotal role in bringing in players such as Mohammed Kudus, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Crysencio Summerville.

Yet, despite these acquisitions, Steidten ultimately failed to deliver on the vision he had outlined for the club.

 

His stated ambition was to reshape West Ham around “young, dynamic, exciting, and versatile talents,” but the reality fell short of that promise.

 

With his departure now official, attention has swiftly turned to finding a suitable replacement, as the club evaluates candidates both domestically and from abroad.

 

Hammers Line Up Potential Replacements for Steidten

 

With Steidten out of the picture, West Ham have begun identifying possible successors. One name that has emerged as a strong contender is Dan Ashworth.

 

Speculation regarding his potential arrival intensified after Graham Potter was linked with the managerial role at the London Stadium.

 

Reports suggested that if Potter took the job, West Ham might seek to reunite him with Ashworth, mirroring their past collaboration.

 

Once Potter was formally appointed last month, well-connected insider Sean Whetstone hinted at a series of key staffing changes behind the scenes.

 

He reported that Steidten’s exit was imminent, that recruitment expert Kyle Macauley—formerly of Chelsea—was set to join the club, and that Ashworth remained a potential addition, which could mark the formation of a Brighton-style recruitment setup in East London.

 

A significant factor in determining whether Ashworth takes the role will be David Sullivan’s willingness to relinquish control over transfer dealings.

 

Telegraph journalist Matt Law recently revealed that Sullivan remains undecided on whether to appoint a direct replacement for Steidten.

 

Law noted that the club is in “no particular rush” to finalize a decision, indicating that discussions are still ongoing.

 

Sullivan’s Influence Could Dictate Whether Ashworth Joins West Ham

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Ashworth will inevitably find a role at another Premier League club following his brief tenure at Manchester United.

 

However, whether that destination turns out to be West Ham depends largely on whether Sullivan is prepared to adapt his approach.

 

Bailey outlined the dynamics at play, stating: “I’ve been told that Macauley is more focused on analyzing targets rather than actively recruiting them.

 

That’s his area of expertise. If West Ham use him correctly, it could make a big difference—but that’s the key question: how will West Ham utilize him?”

 

Discussing Ashworth’s prospects, Bailey added: “He will land at a Premier League club at some stage, and West Ham could be a possibility.

 

But under the current regime, I don’t see it happening. Would David Sullivan and those at the top allow Ashworth to operate independently, without interference?

 

That’s what he would demand, and I’m not convinced they’d grant him that level of control.”

 

Ashworth’s Impressive Transfer Market Track Record

 

As with any recruitment chief, Ashworth’s transfer dealings have included both hits and misses.

 

However, his ability to identify and secure high-value, low-risk signings has been a defining trait of his career.

 

At his previous clubs, he consistently unearthed young talents who developed into elite-level players, yielding enormous resale value.

 

His impressive list of successful signings includes names such as Tariq Lamptey, Anthony Gordon, Marc Cucurella, Kaoru Mitoma, Nick Pope, Evan Ferguson, Leandro Trossard, Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, and Moisés Caicedo.

 

One of Ashworth’s most notable achievements was the acquisition of Caicedo for Brighton.

 

The Ecuadorian midfielder was signed for a mere £4 million, only to be sold to Chelsea for a staggering £115 million just over two years later.

 

Similarly, Isak’s £63 million transfer from Real Sociedad initially seemed costly, but his current valuation has skyrocketed, making him one of the most sought-after strikers in European football.

 

Mitoma, another masterstroke, was bought for just £2.6 million, and Brighton recently rejected an £80 million offer for him during the winter transfer window.

 

These examples illustrate the kind of shrewd business acumen that West Ham supporters would love to see implemented at their club.

 

Will Sullivan Recognize the Value of Ashworth’s Expertise?

 

Given Ashworth’s track record of securing high-value transfers and generating massive profits, it would seem logical for West Ham to pursue his appointment.

 

The potential for significant financial returns, coupled with the improvement in squad quality, aligns with what the club needs to progress.

 

However, whether Sullivan sees the merit in this approach remains to be seen. If West Ham are to bring in a figure of Ashworth’s caliber, it will likely require Sullivan to take a step back and grant him the autonomy necessary to succeed.

 

With a crucial decision looming before the summer transfer window, the coming months will reveal whether the Hammers are prepared to embrace a more strategic and forward-thinking approach to recruitment.