West Ham in no rush to hire a replacement for Tim Steidten | OneFootball

West Ham United will not rush into hiring a new technical director following the departure of Tim Steidten, according to The Telegraph.

The Hammers have no immediate plans to appoint a direct replacement. The Irons are considering whether a director of football is even necessary.

New head coach Graham Potter came with the recently appointed head of recruitment, Kyle Macaulay. The new West Ham pair worked together at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Steidten’s exit has left a void in West Ham’s backroom set-up, but the club is confident that Macaulay, alongside sporting director Mark Noble, can absorb many of his responsibilities for now.

Rather than rushing into a decision, West Ham are opting for stability as they navigate a crucial period of squad planning ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Hammers reportedly explored the idea of bringing in a director of football at some stage and already identified potential candidates from both England and abroad.

However, there is no firm commitment from West Ham to making such an appointment, with the priority currently focused on short-term squad improvements and long-term recruitment strategy.

With the January transfer window closed, Potter and his staff can fine-tune their approach on the training ground.

The Hammers are already looking ahead to the summer, but they want to avoid the missteps of the past.

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has joined on loan until the end of the season, but a permanent attacking reinforcement is expected to be high on the club’s summer wishlist.

After returning from his car accident injury, West Ham striker Michail Antonio may not be the same player. Niclas Fullkrug should be on the chopping after a torrid time in East London, making a centre-forward a priority in the next window.

Midfield reinforcements may also be on the agenda, with James Ward-Prowse’s recall from his Nottingham Forest loan a clear sign that Potter wants more depth and dynamism in the engine room.

Reinforcing the brittle backline should also be on the to-do list alongside the addition of a new goalkeeper.