Tim Steidten steps away: ‘West Ham talk of Julen Lopetegui rift’
Tim Steidten will be spending less time at the West Ham training ground as cracks begin to emerge publicly in his relationship with manager Julen Lopetegui, according to the Telegraph.
Lopetegui has struggled to find a winning formula since taking over from David Moyes as West Ham boss in May 2024.
Rather than involving himself more in the day-to-day training of the players, Steidten has taken the sudden move of distancing himself from Lopetegui and will spend more time away from the training ground, where he has an office.
Despite the ongoing reports that a rift could have formed between Steidten and Lopetegui, the club has insisted that the German’s move away from the training ground is linked to this month’s transfer window.
West Ham say Steidten absence is transfer related
Football Insider Opinion
The Irons have suffered back-to-back demolitions at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester City, losing 5-0 and 4-1 to the sides and are 14th in the Premier League.
The loss to City was particularly troubling for fans of the London club and many called for Lopetegui to be sacked.
The sporting director is also under pressure having spent around £120million in the Summer transfer window (transfermarkt), with little to show for it so far this season.
Maximilian Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo have struggled at centre-back together, Niclas Fullkrug has only scored twice in a West Ham shirt and suffered multiple injuries and Luis Guilherme, signed for £25.5million (BBC Sport) is yet to start a game.
Steidten and Lopetegui find themselves in a situation where they are both heavily reliant on each other performing well and a clear focus on individual roles my help them both turn around the Irons’ season.
News of some of their top players potentially leaving will cause more concern for West Ham fans with Mohammed Kudus linked with a move away.
In other news, Jarrod Bowen had this message for West Ham fans.
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