Tim Steidten has given a revealing glimpse into the internal workings of West Ham United, with a clear contrast to how things were at Bayer Leverkusen.
Fans have questioned the way the club is run for years, and Steidten’s comments will only add fuel to that fire. When he joined, it felt like West Ham were finally heading in a more modern, structured direction. But after hearing what he’s now said, that optimism might’ve been misplaced.
Steidten Slams West Ham
The former Hammers technical director, speaking to Sky Sports Germany, pointed to a stark difference in the way clubs are run in England versus Germany.
“It’s like night and day,” he said. “In Germany, clubs are clearly structured. In England, many clubs are run by owners. The owner not only brings in his money, but is also very emotionally involved.”
While he didn’t name anyone directly, Steidten’s comments have been widely interpreted as a reference to West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, who maintained tight control over transfer business during Steidten’s tenure.
The remarks reflect growing scrutiny around the Hammers’ top-down structure, especially in comparison to the more systems-led approach commonly found in the Bundesliga.
Fullkrug Transfer Backed Despite Injury Setbacks
Steidten also addressed another key topic: the signing of Niclas Füllkrug. Despite the striker’s struggles with injury, Steidten made it clear that he stands by the decision.
“I knew Niclas would fit into the league and into our team,” he said. “I would do this transfer again because I’m convinced of his quality. I’ve learned to never regret a transfer due to an injury because you just can’t influence or predict that.”
The Füllkrug deal, while questioned by some critics due to the player’s time on the treatment table, remains a move Steidten has no doubts about on a footballing level.
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Friction Behind Closed Doors at West Ham
Steidten’s time in east London came to an unceremonious end earlier this year, following reported clashes with both David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui. According to Claret and Hugh, tensions escalated to the point where Steidten was banned from the training ground by both managers.
One notable moment came in late 2023, when he was photographed meeting Graham Potter in a hotel while Lopetegui was still boss. When Potter was later appointed at Rush Green, Steidten was again seen by his side in early introductions — hinting at behind-the-scenes influence that ruffled feathers.
Though an official replacement wasn’t named after his departure, West Ham promoted Kyle Macaulay (a close ally of Potter) to oversee recruitment.
Where West Ham Go From Here
Since Steidten’s exit, West Ham have tried to push the message of stability. Despite light links to Dan Ashworth, a top source told Claret and Hugh: “Why change? We’re a very happy ship.”
Now under Graham Potter, the club is hoping to move forward. But with David Sullivan’s hands-on involvement continuing, West Ham’s structure is unlikely to budge — leaving little room for the kind of strategic separation Steidten valued from his days at Leverkusen.
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