Julen Lopetegui sack latest: Tim Steidten key to West Ham decision
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is a leading voice behind the scenes as they weigh up whether to sack Julen Lopetegui, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked as a senior scout for the club until leaving alongside David Moyes in June, and remains very well-connected, exclusively told Football Insider that Steidten is expected to play a big role in the decision.
Similar has been said about his position on the future of David Moyes, with the owners leaning on his experience in football to help them make the tough calls.
As a result, Brown has insisted that he will be an influential voice behind the scenes, and raised concerns about the power he has been given.
Football Insider reported in September that Steidten has been in the firing line after he oversaw an overhaul of the squad in the summer.
Sources said that the lack of any significant impact from some of their key signings has raised questions about his business despite having been given their full backing.
Despite this, Brown has insisted it will be Lopetegui who deals with the backlash from the transfers and will face losing his job, not the director.
Tim Steidten to play key role in Julen Lopetegui sack at West Ham
Lopetegui has faced mounting pressure after winning just three of his 11 Premier League games in charge this season, and the board are said to be growing impatient.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with managers at the top level including Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson at Man United, also raised questions about the relationship between the manager and the technical director.
“Steidten will play a key role in whether or not they sack him,” he told Football Insider.
“He played a key role in the decision to get rid of Moyes, and it looks like he will again here.
“I don’t think it’s good for the club to have him in such a powerful role.
“It makes things difficult and takes power away from the manager. Lopetegui is feeling that now.
“The owners have to be responsible for the decisions they make, but they’ll lean on him and his experience to help them make the calls.
“But people in his role, making the decisions on transfers and managers, are never held responsible.
“It’s always the manager who has to pick up the bill and take the blame.
“If and when things go belly up, they’ll go away and bring in another manager, and the same thing will keep happening. There’s a running theme.”
In other news, major Mohammed Kudus to Arsenal update emerges.
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