West Ham United certainly look a far stronger, more modern unit than they did two months ago. Unfortunately, it took relegation to bring about the changes many supporters have been demanding for years.
Daniel Kretinsky is calling the shots these days. The question is; Can the Czech billionaire awaken the sleeping giant?
The ambition Kretinsky is showing, plus a willingness to invest out of his own pocket while putting experts in key behind-the-scenes roles, suggests that he not only has the means but also the motive to make that happen.
Nils Koppen speaks! What do you make of his BULLISH West Ham pledge?
Tell us your reaction to his appointment below 👇
If you told the West Ham United fans in the immediate aftermath of relegation that David Sullivan would follow Karren Brady out the door, that the club would appoint a renowned recruitment expert, well, thiw would certainly have softened the pain.
West Ham United fans pleased with Nils Koppen arrival
Nils Koppen was confirmed as West Ham’s Director of Player Recruitment on Saturday. The hope, and the expectation, is that with Koppen in the building, as Kretinsky prepares to invest heavily and as Mateus Fernandes brings about an £85 million windfall, West Ham’s summer is about to kick up a notch.
“Recruitment with an actual plan. That’s the summer sorted then,” one optimistic supporter writes on X.
“Good news that it’s been finally confirmed. Time to lock in now.”
“About time. Now let’s go get some signings please!”
I’m pleased with this announcement happening now as it shows there is urgency with what we are doing in the window going forward. Plus, the desire to keep players has been reiterated.”
“Exciting times at West Ham.”
“Hopefully this will see us get some players through the door sharpish now.”
“Honestly, another beautiful step forward in improving everything at the club.”
“I love how we get mocked for relegation but we just keep getting better.”
Well, off the field, certainly. As for on the field, it will take more than Keiber Lamadrid and young Jett Murphy from Chelmsford City to bring about an immediate return to the Premier League.
But Jamie Carragher summed it up well. Following a dismal home defeat by Brentford in October, Carragher brutally compared the antiquated approach led by David Sullivan with the data-driven, modern, youth-focused approach at their London rivals.
“West Ham are shocking,” the Liverpool legend said on Sky Sports. “The ownership at West Ham is completely different to what we’re seeing at the club that have just absolutely battered them on their own patch.
“Look at other clubs who are not a patch on West Ham, and that’s not being disrespectful to Brentford and maybe a Brighton. We look at those two as forward-thinking, modern football clubs the way they run themselves.
“West Ham are a far bigger club than those two clubs I’ve mentioned. But the way they are run right now means they can’t actually compete with them on the pitch.”
Fans still dreaming of Axel Disasi return as Koppen kick-starts summer plans
West Ham will not be competing against Brentford or Brighton next season either. Quite literally, given the change in division.
Nils Koppen helped build PSV’s title-winning squad! What do you want from him at West Ham?
But as Kretinsky and Koppen set about bringing the kind of change West Ham supporters have longed for, the Championship campaign is arriving with a rare sense of genuine optimism.
You can expect more Mohamadou Kante-type deals going forward. Koppen prides himself upon a ‘creative’ approach to recruitment while thinking ‘outside the box’. Koppen’s best deals at Rangers and PSV Eindhoven include Hamza Igamane, a 16-goal striker signed for £1.7 million from Moroccan football, and World Cup sensation Ismael Saibari; a £52 million signing for Bayern Munich this summer.
“Thank God you’re here,” one fan writes, immediately urging Koppen to get on the blower to Axel Disasi. “We need to replace Matheus and get Disasi back.”
“Please look into signing Axel Disasi, push for this deal as hard as you can. It would get every fan on board and would by far and away be the best centre-back in the Championship.”
“Bring us [Leicester City’s Abdul] Fatawu and [Rennes’] Jordan James.”
“All the best, Nils. A word of advice. Don’t buy any players from Will Salthouse and ignore any suggestions from the little bloke with the Russian hat…”
Bringing Disasi back from Chelsea feels like a challenge too big for a club playing second-tier football. But if we know anything about Koppen, it’s that West Ham’s new talent-spotter will be scouring all corners of the planet for the next Axel Disasi.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
