While things haven’t exactly been going swingingly on the pitch for West Ham this season, it appears things are just as bad behind the scenes.
Julen Lopetegui is under immense pressure after winning just three of his first 11 Premier League games in charge, which has led to calls amongst the fanbase for him to be sacked already, while reports within the media are linking the club with managerial alternatives.
It does appear that the Spaniard will remain in his position beyond the current international break but with a trip to Newcastle and a home clash against Arsenal up next, his immediate future in east London looks incredible precarious.
Meanwhile, Technical Director Tim Stiedten has also had his credentials questioned amongst the fanbase. The German was involved in the decision making behind Lopetegui’s appointment, while many of his summer signings have worked out so far this term. Some fans have been calling for him to leave the club, too.
And while both Stiedten and Lopetegui have been getting a share of the blame, owner David Sullivan has also come under fire for his role in the situation the club currently find itself in.
That means it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear that there are increased tensions behind the scenes at the club right now.
That’s according to former West Ham senior scout Mick Brown, who has been speaking to Football Insider about what he’s heard about the issues going on behind the scenes at West Ham right now. He also revealed that Stiedten’s influence at the club is essentially more powerful than the manager’s, that goes for Lopetegui or any manager in the future.
He said: “From what I’ve heard, the two of them [Lopetegui and Stiedten] haven’t exactly got off to a great start.
“Several of their signings haven’t turned up so far, and then that comes back and the manager is the one who has to deal with it.
“So it’s a bit tense between them, and understandably so from the manager’s point of view.
“I see that to be the major problem at West Ham. It was part of why they let Moyes go, and it’ll probably be what gets Lopetegui sacked too because Stiedten has been put in a more powerful position than the managers.”
None of what Brown said will come as much of a surprise to fans, but it’s an interesting insight into the power struggle managers who like to have an element of control over how they do things will have at the club, now and in the future.
