Julen Lopetegui has launched a defiant defence amid intensifying calls for his sacking, but the West Ham boss is treading a perilous path by publicly pointing the finger at technical director Tim Steidten.
Heading into the clash against Everton, Lopetegui wasn’t the only man feeling the heat at the London Stadium.
Described as the worst Premier League match of the season so far, this was billed as a must-win fixture for the Spaniard, especially with six potential managerial successors reportedly waiting in the wings and a two-week international break looming.
Yet, Steidten, too, found himself under scrutiny.
The German, who took full control of West Ham’s football operations following David Moyes’ departure, had been lauded for his impressive summer transfer dealings.
Nine new signings, costing a combined £155m, were meant to rejuvenate the squad. At the time, Steidten was hailed as the club’s saviour, even describing his role as a “five-year project” and expressing “euphoria” at the challenge ahead.
Fast forward a few months, and that euphoria has all but evaporated.
From Hero to Scapegoat
As West Ham’s form nosedived, Steidten’s summer signings came under the microscope.
Some have struggled to make an impact, and reports emerged suggesting the club’s owners were less than impressed with two of his acquisitions. Criticism has since poured in from fans and pundits alike.
Just days before the Everton match, a twist in the tale emerged. Arsenal were reportedly eyeing Steidten as a replacement for their outgoing sporting director, Edu.
According to The Telegraph, West Ham’s board remain keen to keep the German, signalling their faith in his long-term vision.
The same cannot be said for Lopetegui, whose position looks increasingly precarious.
The 0-0 draw with Everton, a lifeless affair that left many fans heading for the exits long before the final whistle, sparked jeers from those who stayed. Patience is wearing thin, with growing calls for Lopetegui’s dismissal amid a feeling of disillusionment following a summer of optimism.
Lopetegui Points the Finger
In an astonishing interview with The Times, Lopetegui appeared to shift the blame for West Ham’s struggles squarely onto Steidten’s shoulders.
The manager claimed that the team’s underwhelming performances were a result of him having to adapt to the players he’s been given, rather than implementing his own tactical vision.
“Not my style,” Lopetegui said when asked about his philosophy.
“I am trying to adapt myself to the players and in the same way to change things. Every coach does this. It’s what we are trying to do. Sometimes we have been close, sometimes more far [away] but, step by step, we are going to achieve this, for sure.”
It was a remarkable admission and a thinly veiled critique of Steidten’s recruitment. Lopetegui’s implication was clear: the players signed over the summer do not fit his preferred system, hampering his ability to deliver results.
Contradictions and Consequences
Lopetegui’s comments are particularly striking given the circumstances of his appointment. He was fully aware that Steidten would oversee transfers, and several of the summer recruits—such as Guido Rodriguez, Carlos Soler, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Max Kilman—were reportedly on Lopetegui’s own wish list.
To hear him now suggest that the squad isn’t suited to his style feels both contradictory and inflammatory.
It also raises questions about his leadership. After a £155m outlay, Lopetegui’s remarks sound alarmingly defeatist, as if he’s managing a team of misfits rather than a squad brimming with international talent.
Fans and Board Won’t Be Impressed
These comments are unlikely to sit well with West Ham’s hierarchy or supporters. The board will hardly appreciate their record summer spending being dismissed as inadequate, while fans will wonder why other managers are extracting far better results from less illustrious squads.
Yes, Steidten bears some responsibility. Not every signing has been a success, and questions over recruitment strategy are valid. But Lopetegui was hired to deliver results, and his failure to do so, despite the resources at his disposal, is becoming harder to defend.
The parallels with David Moyes’ troubled relationship with Steidten are hard to ignore. Moyes’ tenure ended in acrimony, with tensions between the manager and technical director contributing to the Scot’s downfall.
Is history repeating itself with Lopetegui?
West Ham now face a crucial period. The club’s owners must decide whether to stick with Lopetegui or cut their losses before it’s too late. For the manager, the message is clear: blaming others won’t save his job.
Lopetegui’s public criticism of Steidten has ramped up the pressure. Unless results improve dramatically—and quickly—his time at West Ham could soon be over.
The blame game might buy Lopetegui a little time, but in the ruthless world of modern football, patience is a rare commodity. West Ham’s next few games could well decide his fate.