West Ham insider tears into Tim Steidten after Lopetegui sack twist
Tim Steidten is as much to blame as Julen Lopetegui for the recent issues at West Ham, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Lopetegui is now suffering from the same issues at Moyes.
The boss is expected to remain in charge for now following the 2-1 victory against Wolves on Monday (9 December), despite heightened pressure on his position.
However, Brown has insisted there are decisions which have been made behind the scenes at West Ham for which the manager will take the blame.
A number of their summer signings, brought in during an overhaul led by Steidten, have failed to adjust to English football and have played a part in the team’s struggles.
Mistakes made by those in senior positions at West Ham have routinely been placed at the manager’s feet, and history is now repeating itself.
Brown went on to explain that he still expects Lopetegui to lose his job at some stage, and admitted results have not been good enough regardless of their other issues.
West Ham sacking Julen Lopetegui won’t solve all of their issues
West Ham remain 14th in the Premier League following their win against Wolves, but are now just six points seventh-placed Brighton, and are hoping to push forward from here.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with under-pressure managers and knowledge of West Ham, has insisted many of the issues they have faced come from above rather than the manager.
“West Ham have been poorly-led off the pitch,” he told Football Insider.
“I worked closely with David Moyes, who had his faults, but above all else, everybody knew what he was, where he was coming from and what he wanted from them.
“But he made it known he didn’t want Tim Steidten at the club and they chose not to listen.
“Now, Lopetegui has come in and he’s suffering from the same problems.
“You’ve got the technical director interfering in the dressing room, speaking to the players about things.
“Some of the signings they’ve made under him, they barely look like Premier League players.
“But he’s given the reigns to remodel the team, and when the players he brings in fail, the blame is put straight onto Lopetegui.
“That’s the real problem West Ham have got. People behind the scenes are making mistakes and it’s the manager who pays for it in the end.
“Ultimately, they should be in a better position than they are and that’s down to the manager, but he cannot take all of the blame for their issues.
“I’d expect, though, he’ll be sacked at some stage and the blame will be placed at his feet.”
In other news, Chelsea respond to West Ham interest in Tosin Adarabioyo.
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