Graham Potter Confirms West Ham in Good Hands for Vital Summer Following Steidten’s Exit

There’s a sense of irony in how West Ham’s most successful signings this season came under the guidance of Tim Steidten—just months before his controversial exit.

Once hailed as a transformative figure in West Ham’s recruitment strategy, Steidten’s rise and fall happened in just 18 months.

Fans had long hoped the club would adopt a more professional and structured approach to transfers.

Initially, that responsibility was given to club legend Mark Noble, appointed as sporting director.

However, Noble, in a display of honesty and self-awareness, acknowledged that the demanding world of football transfers wasn’t for him.

While he still contributes to signings, his role has shifted to bridging the academy and first team.

Enter Tim Steidten, a German dealmaker with a solid track record at Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen.

His arrival generated optimism, especially after securing exciting talents like Mohammed Kudus early on.

Steidten’s quick, efficient work earned him fan chants and a reputation for getting deals done—especially when he boarded a private jet.

However, behind the scenes, tensions grew. Clashes with managers David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui and dissatisfaction from the club’s ownership over the £155m spent in the summer saw Steidten pushed aside before January.

Ironically, many of the standout performers this season—Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, and Jarrod Bowen—came in during his tenure.

New recruits like Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug, and Luis Guilherme have also shown promise, with Fullkrug, in particular, winning over fans despite initial doubts.

Now, former Brighton manager Graham Potter is leading West Ham into a crucial summer, backed by his trusted head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.

Potter insists the club is in good hands despite Steidten’s departure, praising Macaulay’s deep understanding of what the club and fans need.

He also highlighted the strong support from chairman David Sullivan and the board for their upcoming transfer plans.

With the oldest squad in the Premier League and only 13 wins in their last 51 league matches, West Ham faces a critical rebuild.

Fortunately, the extended summer transfer window, due to FIFA’s Club World Cup, offers a unique opportunity—three full months to reshape the squad.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. West Ham sits at a crossroads, and how the club navigates this summer will likely determine whether they remain mired in mediocrity or climb back into contention for European football.

With Potter and Macaulay at the helm, optimism remains—but the pressure is on to deliver.