West Ham set to axe technical director after hectic 18-month spell | OneFootball

West Ham United are poised to part ways with technical director Tim Steidten after confirming the arrival of Kyle Macaulay as the club's new head of recruitment.

Steidten has largely been responsible for West Ham's transfer business since joining the club in July 2023 but has clashed with previous managers David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui.

The German was asked to stay out of West Ham's changing room towards the end of Moyes' four-and-a-half-year tenure, while he stepped away from the club's training ground towards the end of Lopetegui's short six-month stint as head coach.

West Ham have invested heavily in their playing squad under Steidten's watch, with the former Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen supremo initially hired to help the club modernise their approach to transfers.

Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus, Luis Guilherme, Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have all signed in deals worth £25m or more, many of which Steidten was integral to completing. Jean-Clair Todibo's loan deal also contains an obligation to buy for over £30m.

Various outlets, including The Telegraph, report that Steidten's time is almost up at London Stadium, with his access to certain transfer data and internal information already cut. West Ham have already sourced 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 stints in charge of Ostersunds, Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, in a working relationship that dates back to 2012.

"He's been part of my staff for a number of years. He's a good link between the club and the coach, so it's easier for him to have certain conversations," Potter told reporters of his arrival.

"I'm really happy with that appointment. He's head of recruitment, so providing the link between the coach – me – and the club. Recruitment's about having lots of conversations, so to have someone like him in will be great for the club and great for me."