Tim Steidten responds to West Ham sacking with a classy statement.

Tim Steidten was appointed West Ham’s director of football in July 2023, but his tenure was far from smooth.

During the 2023/24 season, he had a falling-out with manager David Moyes, and the same happened with Julen Lopetegui the following season.

Interestingly, Steidten had actually warned the club’s owners against hiring Lopetegui in the first place, indicating that he was never a fan of the Spaniard.

The internal divisions at the club, with various figures pulling in different directions, foreshadowed the instability that would plague the London Stadium.

West Ham has endured a turbulent 12 months on multiple fronts, but with Graham Potter now in charge, there is genuine optimism for the future.

However, when Steidten arrived, his access to internal systems was immediately revoked, highlighting the shifting power dynamics within the club.

While Potter is an excellent appointment, he faces a monumental task in undoing the damage left behind by both Lopetegui and Steidten.

Tim Steidten was a polarizing figure at West Ham. Some supporters backed him wholeheartedly, while others held him responsible for Moyes’s departure.

What is certain is that his time at the club was far from a perfect fit. However, his recent farewell message to West Ham was surprisingly classy, which came as a bit of a shock.

Speaking to reporters in Germany, as quoted by Freie Presse, Steidten reflected on his time at West Ham:

“It was always my dream to work in a leading position in the Premier League. And it was actually a wonderful journey in a great club with great fans.

Together we initiated many processes and new structures, signed very exciting players with a lot of potential, and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League together.

In the current constellation, however, it is best for everyone to go their separate ways.”

His words were refreshing, though they do not change the fact that his dismissal was well-timed.

Steidten had built a strong reputation in Germany, particularly during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he was nicknamed the ‘pearl-diver’ for his ability to unearth hidden talents.

Unfortunately, that skill never translated to success at West Ham.

His signings were disappointing, with Niclas Füllkrug and Luis Guilherme standing out as particularly poor acquisitions. These transfers likely played a significant role in his downfall.

Now, the focus shifts to Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay to see if they can steer the club in a more positive direction.

Despite Steidten’s failed stint at West Ham, his farewell message showed a touch of class. While his time in East London did not work out, I genuinely wish him the best in his future endeavors.