Liverpool eyeing rival Premier League honcho to fill big boots at Anfield

West Ham Sporting Director Tim Steidten in the race to replace Jorg Schmadtke at Liverpool

West Ham United’s sporting director, Tim Steidten, has emerged as a leading candidate to fill the vacancy left by Jorg Schmadtke at Liverpool. The Reds are actively seeking a new sporting director after Schmadtke’s departure, and Steidten is reportedly on their radar. The West Ham executive, who joined the club in the summer, has gained recognition for his role in strategic signings, including James Ward-Prowse, Mohammed Kudus, and Edson Alvarez.

Liverpool, facing a significant reshuffle following departures, including that of Jurgen Klopp and coaching staff, are considering Steidten as a potential candidate. While there have been no official approaches due to transfer window etiquette, West Ham is anticipating interest in their highly-regarded sporting director.

Steidten, 44, has a notable track record in player recruitment, having previously worked at Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen. At Leverkusen, he played a role in bringing Xabi Alonso to the club as a manager and was instrumental in signing key players during their Bundesliga title campaign. His stint at Werder Bremen saw signings like Kevin De Bruyne and Serge Gnabry. Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany put out a tweet citing Liverpool’s interest.

Despite initially facing differences with West Ham manager David Moyes, relations have since improved. However, reports from the Daily Mail suggest that Steidten seeks more control within the club, and there remain indications that he may not sit entirely settled at West Ham.

Steidten to the Reds?

The sporting director has expressed a desire to bring in his younger brother Moritz and friend Maximilian Hahn in scouting capacities, further signalling his intent to shape the club’s operations.

The uncertainty surrounding Steidten’s future at West Ham stems from Liverpool’s interest, potentially disrupting his current role. The German sporting director is among the names on Liverpool’s shortlist to fill the void left by Schmadtke, alongside Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes and other candidates.

Concerns are rising at West Ham that Liverpool’s interest may prompt Steidten to consider the potential move. The German sporting director is viewed as one of the targets to fill Schmadtke’s shoes at Liverpool, and the situation underscores the fluid and competitive nature of football management and recruitment.

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As the dynamics of football clubs evolve, the pursuit of key figures like Steidten reflects the critical role played by sporting directors in shaping a team’s success. The potential transition from West Ham to Liverpool, if it materializes, would represent a significant shift for Steidten as well as Liverpool, marking the start of a new era for either party.