The lid has been lifted on why imminent first summer arrival Tim Steidten snubbed Chelsea for West Ham ahead of his official unveiling.
If you were to list the Premier League’s biggest under performers last season then West Ham and their London rivals Chelsea would be in the mix.
The Hammers and Chelsea fell way below expectations in the league. For West Ham there was at least a first major trophy in 43 years and Europa League qualification to show for their campaign.
But it is no surprise that both clubs have been looking to make big recruitment changes for the summer transfer window.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has been leading a push to bring in a top level Director of Football at West Ham.
Todd Boehly at Chelsea has been busy trying to assemble a team of experts to sit between the board room and first team too.
Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool all wanted new Hammers DoF
Chelsea’s failings in the transfer market have led to speculation Boehly may make further changes in that department having appointed Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley as co-sporting directors.
Football.London reported on Boehly’s pursuit of ex Bayer Leverkusen DoF Tim Steidten previously.
Spurs and Liverpool were also heavily linked with the German, who is nicknamed the ‘Pearl Diver’.
But the race for the boardroom face has been won by Sullivan and West Ham.
As reported on Hammers News last night, West Ham plan to make a major announcement on Friday after an agreement with Steidten.
Report lifts lid on why imminent first summer arrival Tim Steidten snubbed Chelsea for West Ham ahead of official unveiling
His departure from Leverkusen back in March and explanation that he ‘wanted to try something new’ caused a stir in football circles and no lack of interest from other European clubs.
Steidten will start his new role with West Ham on July 1st.
Now a report has lifted the lid on why imminent first summer arrival Steidten snubbed Chelsea for West Ham ahead of his official unveiling.
Revealing the appointment, German site Kicker confirmed Steidten had talks with Chelsea.
But he chose West Ham because he will have more freedom and control at the London Stadium.
‘At West Ham he only has to report directly to the owner, at Chelsea it was different’
“Going forward, West Ham United will capitalise on Steidten’s qualities, which are likely to have a bigger presence in the transfer market after a disappointing 14th place finish last Premier League season and the upcoming £100m sale of international player Declan Rice,” Kicker reports.
“At West Ham, Steidten finds greater design options than, for example, at Chelsea, who works with several sports directors and with whom Steidten also had discussions.
“At his new club, on the other hand, he only has to report directly to the club owner. Steidten is therefore moving to the Hammers.”
Steidten’s eye for talent earned him the nickname “Pearl Diver” because he was instrumental in the transfers of previously unknown players who would go on to become stars.
Steidten becomes West Ham’s first arrival of the summer.
And given he will be in charge of transfers, recruitment and spending the Rice money he may well prove to be the most important too.
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