Steidten Asked to Stay Away Amid Tensions

West Ham United's technical director, Tim Steidten, has been asked to stay away from the club's training ground following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Julen Lopetegui. The rift between Steidten and Lopetegui comes amidst West Ham's poor performance, leaving them 14th in the Premier League and just seven points above the relegation zone. The club attributes Steidten's absence to his focus on the January transfer window, despite speculation about his involvement in seeking potential managerial replacements. Previous tensions with former manager David Moyes saw Steidten similarly asked to avoid the training ground, highlighting ongoing challenges in club management. West Ham's board had considered replacing Lopetegui, with names like Graham Potter and Edin Terzic discussed, but have so far decided to retain him. The situation remains tense as West Ham prepares for crucial fixtures, with Lopetegui's position still under scrutiny.