West Ham United are ready to part ways with their technical director Tim Steidten after confirming the arrival of Kyle Macaulay as the club’s new head of recruitment.
Steidten has been largely responsible for West Ham’s transfer business since joining the club in July 2023, but clashed with previous managers David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui.
Towards the end of Moyes’ four-and-a-half-year tenure, the German was asked to stay away from the West Ham dressing room, while he left the club’s training ground towards the end of Lopetegui’s short six-month spell as coach.
West Ham have invested heavily in their squad of players under Steidten’s leadership. The former Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen superstar was originally brought in to help the club modernize its transfer approach.
Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus, Luis Guilherme, Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have all signed deals worth £25 million or more, which many Steidten was instrumental in securing. Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan deal also includes a purchase obligation for over £30 million.
Various outlets including The Telegraphreport that Steidten’s time at the London Stadium is almost up and his access to certain transfer data and internal information has already been blocked. West Ham have already found a replacement, hiring Macaulay as their head of recruitment to work alongside new head coach Graham Potter.
The pair have worked together during Potter’s tenures in charge of Östersunds, Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea in a working relationship that dates back to 2012.
“He has been part of my team for several years. He is a good link between the club and the coach, so it is easier for him to have certain conversations,” Potter told reporters about his arrival.
“I am really happy with this appointment. He is head of the recruiting department and therefore creates the connection between the coach – me – and the club. Recruiting is about having a lot of conversations, so having someone like him there will be great for the club. Great for me.