West Ham’s decline accelerated after years of European football and a successful Conference League final in June 2023. The club’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium promised progress but did not deliver. Relegation now follows a pattern of avoidable failure linked to leadership shortcomings and inadequate planning. Momentum faded as league form under David Moyes began to slide in January 2022, while an ageing squad needed rejuvenation and recruitment was inconsistent. Moyes’s resilience helped shield the club from broader dysfunction, but trust in Sullivan’s next steps proved damaging. Julen Lopetegui arrived, clashed with senior players, made poor target choices, and was dismissed after six months. West Ham then fell into chaos, with conflicts involving Tim Steidten, the technical director brought in after the Conference League final.
"The problem, it seems, was less wanting someone a little more exciting than Moyes, more trusting Sullivan with what came next. Julen Lopetegui joined but clashed with senior players, identified poor targets and was fired after six months. West Ham tumbled into chaos. Moyes and Lopetegui fell out with Tim Steidten, who had joined as technical director shortly after the Conference League final. Bringing in Steidten was one of Sullivan's biggest mistakes."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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