West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten is staying away from the club’s training ground as head coach Julen Lopetegui focuses on improving results.
Steidten’s priority, meanwhile, is on the club’s transfer business, and the club say his absence from the training ground at Rush Green is motivated by a focus on the January window.
The Athletic reported in December the West Ham board were discussing the future of Lopetegui and considering all their options following a poor run of form. Although the 58-year-old remained in his position, Steidten’s role still requires him to focus on potential managerial replacements should a change need to be made.
West Ham are 14th in the Premier League, seven points clear of the relegation zone, after winning six of their 20 top-flight fixtures this season.
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In May, with speculation surrounding the future of then manager David Moyes’ future, Steidten was told he could not enter the club’s first team dressing room at Rush Green or the London Stadium for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
The 45-year-old was informed it was inappropriate for him to be there when there was ongoing uncertainty as to what was happening with the club’s managerial search. Steidten was tasked with leading the recruitment process for Moyes’ successor, with West Ham confirming before the end of last season that he would be departing at the end of his contract.
The club say Steidten’s absence this month is instead more dictated by work and the differing priorities of Steidten and Lopetegui.
Steidten joined West Ham in the summer of 2023 following success in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Lopetegui was appointed head coach in May, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
West Ham return to action against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday.
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(Top photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
