A major twist could be on the cards for West Ham and Tim Steidten in pursuit of high-profile managerial target Thomas Tuchel.
In case you hadn’t heard, David Moyes looks set to leave West Ham this summer.
The manager looks like he’s run his race in east London with Tim Steidten being handed full control of West Ham’s recruitment when he departs.
Not only that but Steidten is also said to have been tasked with identifying West Ham’s new manager.
Given his appointment of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, that bodes well for the Hammers.
Steidten’s picks for Der Hammers
Three of Steidten’s fellow Germans have been heavily linked with the job of late.
Earlier this week a journalist with strong West Ham contacts claimed Hansi Flick is on the shortlist to replace Moyes.
Then it was claimed yesterday that Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness is one of Steidten’s picks too – although that seems highly unlikely indeed.
But perhaps most intriguing of all the names being linked with the Hammers is departing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.
Major Tuchel twist could be on the cards
Some see Tuchel links to West Ham as unrealistic.
But recent reports from Germany claim Tuchel, who has kept his house in London, very much wants to return to the Premier League.
Journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News that people should not underestimate Steidten’s pulling power to lure Tuchel.
Particularly as the pair are good friends and came close to working together at Chelsea.
Since our interview with Bailey, other media outlets have been repeating that little known fact.
Links to Tuchel have resurfaced in the last week.
Tuchel petition could wreck West Ham hopes
It was announced Tuchel would be leaving Bayern this summer after just one season at the club. Ex Man United boss Ralf Ragnick has confirmed he is in talks to replace him.
Last week Tuchel denied there could be a U-turn which sees him stay at the Allianz Arena.
Now a major Tuchel twist could be on the cards for West Ham and Steidten.
Because Bayern supporters have petitioned the club to retain Tuchel as their head coach for next season, saying other candidates “don’t hold a candle” to the 50-year-old.
A petition entitled ‘We want Juppel (Tuchel) and not (Ralf) Rangnick!’ has more than 11,000 signatures, in just over 48 hours.
German clubs listen to their fans
“Despite the negative media coverage surrounding him and the personnel situation with the injury-plagued Munich team, the Champions League winner led his team to the semi-finals of the Champions League,” the petition states.
“With all due respect to candidates like (Aston Villa’s Unai) Emery or Rangnick, these coaches can’t hold a candle to ‘Juppel’ (Tuchel).
“Considering that the ‘Finale Dahoam’ (Champions League final at the Allianz Arena) will take place next season, Bayern Munich should actually be glad to have such an outstanding Champions League coach like TT (Tuchel).”
Historically German clubs have been far more inclined to listen to fans and engage with supporters. Their extremely reasonable ticket pricing structure and the 50+1 rule which dictates fans have the ultimate say in how their clubs are run is proof of that fact.
So this twist could be a big problem for West Ham and Steidten.
Whether Tuchel himself is as keen to stay as the fans are for him to remain will be key.
The availability of a top class, proven manager who is close with Steidten and is a free agent would be the dream ticket for the Hammers.
But this petition could now throw a sizeable spanner in the works for West Ham.