West Ham United have confirmed that technical director Tim Steidten is to leave the club.
The Hammers quietly announced his exit with a brief statement that was not posted on the club's social media channels.
Stiedten only joined West Ham in the summer of 2023 but has seen his influence dramatically reduced.
As reported by 90mins last month, the German had come under intense scrutiny over signings he had concluded including the acquisitions of Niclas Fullkrug, midfielder Luis Guilherme and defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
Steidten also fell out with both David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui while they were in charge.
The appointment of new boss Graham Potter who arrived alongside his own head of recruitment has proved to be the final straw for Stiedten.
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A statement on the club’s website read: “West Ham United Football Club can confirm that Technical Director Tim Steidten will be leaving the Club. Tim has been instrumental in our recruitment efforts.
“With the arrival of our new Head Coach Graham Potter, who has brought in his own Head of Recruitment, it is time for Tim to pursue new opportunities.
“We would like to thank Tim for his dedication and hard work and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Steidten, who was responsible for West Ham's player recruitment, exits the club just hours after the end of the transfer window.
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The German arrived from Bayer Leverkusen with a solid reputation but a number of high-profile disputes caused a rocky relationship with the club’s past two managers.
Former boss David Moyes instructed Steidten to stay away from the training ground at the end of last season before the German became embroiled in a dispute with Lopetegui in the final few weeks of the Spaniard's time in charge.
Prior to Lopetegui’s dismissal last month, images surfaced on social media of Steidten meeting with Potter.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss was subsequently appointed as the new West Ham boss and brought in Kyle Macauley as his head of recruitment, shortly after.
It ultimately spelled the end for the German who was initially brought in to help revamp the club’s playing style while aiding the club’s return to European football.
Steidten came under fire for spending £27million on 31-year-old Fullkrug who has endured an injury-hampered campaign.
Fullkrug, who starred in Borussia Dortmund’s run to last season’s Champions League final, has scored just two goals in 11 appearances for the Hammers and is currently on the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury.
Without Fullkrug at their disposal, West Ham endured a challenging first half of the season.
Heavy defeats to Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham heaped further pressure on both Steidten and Lopetegui despite a frosty relationship between the pair.
The recent change in the dugout has seen the Irons win one and lose three of Potter's five matches in charged across all competitions.
Monday's defeat at Chelsea leaves West Ham 15th in the table but a healthy ten points above the bottom three.
