Journalist reveals Steidten cautioned Sullivan against hiring Lopetegui at West Ham

There is never a quiet moment at West Ham United.

 

After spending £155 million on nine new signings to kick off a new era under a fresh manager, the expectation was that the excitement would come from positive developments.

 

However, just five games into the new Premier League season, Julen Lopetegui, the new boss, already finds himself under mounting pressure.

West Ham’s hierarchy is reportedly unimpressed with the team’s early results, their performances, and the ongoing situation with Jean-Clair Todibo, as exclusively revealed by Hammers News.

 

Most supporters are aware that building a new-look squad under a fresh head coach can take time.

 

Yet, with other rival clubs seeing their managers quickly impose their playing styles, many are now questioning Lopetegui’s impact at the club.

 

The Spaniard has had a rough start in East London. A record of two wins, three losses, and a draw in all competitions paints a picture of early struggles.

 

 

The most recent low point came in a dismal 3-0 home loss to Chelsea, marking the first time in West Ham’s 129-year history that they’ve lost their first three home league games of a season.

 

Fans and pundits alike have been vocal in their frustration with Lopetegui’s tactics and team selections.

His decisions have not gone down well, with many supporters puzzled by his choices.

 

His substitutions during the Chelsea match were met with boos, and fans jeered the team off the pitch. Thousands even left the London Stadium 20 minutes before the final whistle.

 

The media has also been harsh, scrutinizing Lopetegui’s every move.

 

The reason for such intense pressure so early in his tenure comes down to several factors.

 

Firstly, the circumstances surrounding his appointment were always going to attract significant attention.

 

After David Moyes parted ways with the club, West Ham was subject to a wave of criticism for their handling of the managerial transition.

 

The club then made a significant investment in the squad, bringing in several high-profile signings that looked promising—at least on paper.

 

However, perhaps most notably, Lopetegui was not West Ham’s first choice for the managerial role.

 

During the summer, the club pursued Ruben Amorim, the exciting young manager from Sporting Lisbon.

 

The potential appointment of Amorim had Hammers fans buzzing, but after he chose to stay at Sporting, West Ham shifted focus to other candidates.

 

Eventually, they landed on Lopetegui after AC Milan backed out of appointing him.

 

This left some fans disappointed, with a portion even creating an online petition against his hiring, mirroring the actions of AC Milan’s Ultras.

 

It appears the discontent over Lopetegui’s appointment wasn’t limited to just a faction of the fanbase.

 

West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, had reportedly advised against bringing Lopetegui in.

 

In an interview with Hammers News, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that Steidten played a role in finalizing the deal but did not endorse the decision.

 

According to Bailey, Steidten had envisioned a different type of manager, one who could guide the squad in a new direction distinct from that of both Moyes and Lopetegui.

 

However, West Ham owner David Sullivan was reportedly won over by Lopetegui during a meeting in April.

 

Sullivan believed that the former Wolves, Sevilla, and Spain boss had what it took to lead the team successfully, despite warnings from Steidten and others within the club’s hierarchy about potential challenges.

 

Sullivan remains hopeful that Lopetegui will prove himself and turn things around.

 

Additionally, Hammers News has learned from various sources that Sullivan’s relationship with agent Will Salthouse played a key role in the decision to appoint Lopetegui.

 

Despite the mounting challenges and poor early-season form, it seems the West Ham board is not yet ready to give up on their new manager.

 

Still, the clock is ticking for Lopetegui to make his mark and change the fortunes of a team that had high hopes for a successful campaign.