Coveted director gives Liverpool his answer and it’s actually terrible news for West Ham

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A coveted director has given Liverpool his answer and it’s actually terrible news for West Ham in what could become a difficult situation.

We exclusively reported on Hammers News earlier that the top source inside West Ham admitted it would ‘not be easy’ to stop Liverpool luring away technical director Tim Steidten.

That’s after Football Insider claimed Steidten is a leading contender to be the new Liverpool director of football.

The report claimed the Merseyside giants have begun their search for a recruitment chief to replace Jorg Schmadtke, who is on his way out of Anfield at the end of the January transfer window.

Coveted director gives Liverpool his answer

It is also suggested that differences of opinion between Steidten and David Moyes could see the German recruitment chief take up Liverpool’s offer.

Back in June last year we reported on Hammers News that West Ham actually beat the likes of Liverpool to the appointment of ‘pearl diver’ Steidten as the club’s technical director.

Another man West Ham were linked with before bringing Steidten to the London Stadium was ex Liverpool director of football Michael Edwards.

There was some relief earlier when it was reported that Edwards had been offered a sensational Reds return.

But the coveted director has given Liverpool his answer and it’s actually terrible news for West Ham.

It’s terrible news for West Ham

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, Edwards has turned down the opportunity.

“Liverpool’s former sporting director Michael Edwards has turned down a return to Anfield,” Ornstein reports.

“Mike Gordon, president of Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), called Edwards to float the idea of him occupying a senior role with the club or inside FSG, which would allow him to oversee the restructure that is taking place.

“But Edwards made clear in the conversation — which happened over the weekend, following bombshell news on Friday that manager Jurgen Klopp will depart at the end of this season — that he would not coming back to Liverpool.”

There are two crucial aspects here which spell bad news for the Hammers.

Edwards rejecting Liverpool means they are still on the hunt for a new man in that role.

But more worryingly still for West Ham perhaps is that this report reveals Edwards rejected Liverpool at the weekend.

Steidten in demand

So the fact it has been reported since then that the Reds hierarchy want Steidten suggests he is now their prime candidate.

Steidten oversaw what was widely regarded as the best transfer window business in the Premier League in his first summer.

Steidten has been such a hit, West Ham fans even have their own terrace chant for him.

Losing him to Liverpool would be a major blow.

And unlike players, it is very difficult for clubs to stop directors and other such staff members leaving their roles for other clubs as we have seen in the last week with Omar Berrada leaving Manchester City for bitter rivals Man United.

Hammers supporters will be keeping everything crossed they can keep Steidten in east London.

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