A smoke and mirrors theory about West Ham’s links with certain managers falls down for one important reason.
Some West Ham fans can hardly be blamed for their cynicism over the club’s pursuit of a new manager.
Many supporters were giddy with excitement when David Ornstein revealed Ruben Amorim had flown in for talks with the Hammers on Monday.
But those of a certain vintage among the West Ham faithful are too long in the tooth and refused to get their hopes up.
The very next day the pessimists were proved right, any hope of Amorim succeeding David Moyes was seemingly ruled out on his return to Portugal.
We hear ‘talks did not go well’ and Amorim will now hold a press conference to address his visit to West Ham.
Of course that situation could still change in West Ham’s favour. But it seems highly unlikely the coveted young Sporting boss will be at the London Stadium next season.
Other high profile names have also been linked including Thomas Tuchel – to name just one of many.
Some supporters have a theory and it’s not without justification.
Name drops to sell season tickets?
That being West Ham’s owners are leaking names and driving up interest in a bid to spark season ticket renewals before the early June deadline.
It’s easy to see why some believe that may be the case.
After all how often do we see West Ham being linked with a top player or striker with season ticket renewal deadline just around the corner.
West Ham fans believe the fact every spit and cough of the new manager search is being played out in the public is an indictment on the owners.
The fact is, we are myopic as West Ham fans in believing it is only us.
Aston Villa seem to buck the trend for doing things quietly, efficiently or as fans see it “properly”.
That was evident again this week when, amid speculation of interest from Man United and others, it was suddenly announced Unai Emery had signed a new deal.
But these claims and counter claims follow every major club around – it’s just the way it is in the modern game. Even as a young fan I remember getting told off by my dad when the phone bill came through and I’d been on West Ham Clubcall at £1 per minute trying to find out the latest transfer or manager gossip.
This is no different, just being played out over a new medium.
West Ham have not helped themselves in the past, though. They have earned this reputation and it isn’t easily shaken off with supporters.
But the West Ham managerial smoke and mirrors theory falls down for one important reason.
And his name is Tim Steidten.
Smoke and mirrors theory falls down for important reason
Of all West Ham’s talent in their first team, Steidten is arguably now the club’s most valuable asset.
The signings of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez – and possibly Konstantinos Mavropanos with more time – are masterstrokes.
Evidence of exactly what the German brings to the club.
Fans will be well aware he is the man who built this all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side – including hiring their innovative young manager – before leaving last March ahead of joining the Hammers.
Steidten has just recently publicly committed his future to the club after links to Liverpool and Newcastle.
He has brought his brother Moritz over to London to be part of his setup. Steidten has also appointed Max Hahn from another of his former clubs, Werder Bremen.
Steidten recently described his “euphoria” at being handed full control at West Ham.
And he states he sees it as a five-year project.
So why on earth would David Sullivan and co risk losing him by appointing someone who wasn’t of Steidten’s choosing?
Steidten wouldn’t stay if he wasn’t happy with plans
If anything this could all be smoke and mirrors from West Ham to land Steidten’s true target.
Last summer we were linked with a number of players such as Carlos Borges. In the end it was a Steidten masterclass in prompting Ajax to bid for the Man City winger. The pay-off being that he knew they would then have to sell and he could land Kudus.
There is simply no way Steidten would be sticking around if he wasn’t happy with the plans in place to hire a new manager that is to his liking.
The time to really worry about the situation would be if we do hear rumblings from Steidten’s end. Or – heaven forbid – he walks out.
At the moment there is nothing to suggest that could happen. Although there are murmurings Steidten wants Amorim and Paulo Fonseca while Sullivan is keen on Julen Lopetegui.
Until we’re proved otherwise, though, let’s see what this summer brings. It may be Steidten’s pick is not universally appealing or is seen as something of a risk.
But people were saying that when he plucked Xabi Alonso from Real Sociedad’s B team despite the Spaniard having never managed at senior level. And look how that’s worked out.
If we trust Steidten then there’s no reason why we can’t be the next Bayer Leverkusen. Not necessarily challenging for league titles but certainly the top five or six.
That trust, though, must start from within.