West Ham insiders’ fears over Tim Steidten revealed as sporting director’s £150million summer season spree falters, Arsenal’s video file for referees and Saudis eye up Man City chief – the SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN

Julen Lopetegui knows where the buck stops. Always the manager. It’ll never change.

Prior to the previous international break there were indications within football circles that Lopetegui was already on thin ice, approaching the point of no return.

Hard to fathom, really, given he only arrived in May. But football comes at you fast, particularly in an unforgiving Premier League.

Stranger things have happened, though owner David Sullivan’s known reluctance to sack managers – or perhaps more pertinently avoid the millions it would cost to pay them up – will work in Lopetegui’s favour if the proverbial hits the fan.

That said, there can be no denying concerns are festering. One win in their opening six top-flight matches has raised uncertainty.

Crashing out of the Carabao Cup with a 5-1 defeat at Liverpool exacerbated fears.

Victory over newly promoted Ipswich bought time before reality struck once more last weekend courtesy of 4-1 loss at bitter rivals Tottenham.

There is no indication that defeat to Manchester United on Sunday will lead to a knee jerk reaction, but the pressure is building.

Yet when it comes to apportioning blame to West Ham’s difficult start, where should the burden lie?

Invariably if results don’t improve Lopetegui will be the fall guy. That’s how football works. Indeed, the Spaniard deserves his share of criticism.

Results have been poor but, perhaps, more worryingly those who watch West Ham on a regular basis are struggling to notice a clear pattern to Lopetegui’s approach.

Yet, with that said, it is not lost on figures behind the scenes at the London Stadium that their summer recruitment has proved underwhelming thus far.

Once again, you cannot completely admonish Lopetegui for that. For example, the arrival of Guido Rodriguez, who has started in every Premier League game during the Hammers’ underwhelming start so far, on a free transfer from Real Betis is said to be a Lopetegui production.

Elsewhere, however, the jury is out on a number of summer arrivals following a near £150million recruitment drive led by sporting director Tim Steidten.

For instance, the £25m signing of Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme has raised eyebrows internally. The 18-year-old has played just four minutes so far, coming on as a late substitute in the 4-1 win over Ipswich.

It is understood Guilherme – a signing led by Steidten – has failed to make a sufficient impact on Lopetegui, who fears the youngster is some way from being able to make a regular contribution at senior level – a worrying dynamic given the sizeable outlay.

There is, of course, ample time for Guilherme to make a success of his move to London.

He’s young; and with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Mohamed Kudus and Crycensio Summerville ahead of him in the pecking order, the South American is very much viewed as a long-term project.

Of course, the counter argument to that is that Lopetegui needs instant performances.

There are similar apprehensions about Niclas Fullkrug, whose £27m arrival from Borussia Dortmund is not proving value for money.

The striker has made just three substitute appearances so far and is currently struggling with a calf injury.

Given Fullkrug is 31, finding any sort of value in that deal – sporting or financial – doesn’t necessarily strike you square in the face.

Again, the Germany international’s signing was led by Steidten.

Summerville, signed from Leeds for an initial £25m, has made one Premier League start so far.

The decision to let James Ward-Prowse, a seasoned Premier League campaigner, join Nottingham Forest another questionable transfer decision.

‘Nearly £200m spent? I’m not sure I’d be too happy if I was Sullivan,’ said one well-placed source.

The departure of David Moyes in the summer resulted in Steidten assuming greater control over the club’s recruitment.

It is no secret that Steidten and Moyes didn’t see eye-to-eye over a number of targets. But with Moyes out of the picture, if Sullivan expected more from Steidten and his summer investment then it would be entirely understandable.

Steidten’s active public persona has helped endear him to sections of the Hammers fanbase.

But, ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding. The pudding isn’t as delectable as many had hoped.

‘It’s incredible that the director of football, who brought in all these players and told us all about it, suddenly he’s gone quiet,’ said Sky Sports pundit Stephen Warnock this week.

‘Suddenly he doesn’t want to give interviews. He knows things aren’t going well.’

There are those at West Ham who believe the narrative building around Steidten’s apparent willingness to court publicity is a false one.

In fairness, he has only conducted two external interviews away from club channels since his arrival in 2023.

Lopetegui, though, has no choice but to front up to the cameras. After Sunday’s visit of United, the Hammers face Nottingham Forest and Everton.

Supporters will expect an improvement. If there isn’t sufficient progress, Lopetegui knows whose neck will be on the line.

All eyes are on the Spaniard. But should they be on the German, too?

Arsenal’s video dossier 

Arsenal compiled a video package to support their possible appeal against William Saliba’s sending off against Bournemouth on Saturday, it can be revealed.

France international Saliba was originally shown a yellow card for pulling down Cherries striker Evanilson before on-field referee Robert Jones – following consultation with VAR Jarred Gillett – changed his mind to show the Gunners defender a red card.

And it is understood Gunners analysts put together a video montage of similar decisions that were not deemed red card offences in preparation of an anticipated appeal against the sending off.

Just a day after the loss to Bournemouth, Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo escaped a red card for a similar incident in which he brought down Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. It is likely the episode would have been included in Arsenal’s highlight reel.

Eventually, however, Arsenal decided against submitting an official appeal despite the move to edit a video designed to bolster their chances of ensuring Saliba escaped a ban.

Indeed, sources claim that appealing Saliba’s red card was never a realistic consideration for Arsenal despite the production of the video given the likelihood of it failing. Saliba will be suspended for Sunday’s title clash against Liverpool.

Wharton injury update 

Crystal Palace estimate Adam Wharton will be fit enough to return to training after three weeks if he undergoes groin surgery.

As revealed in this column on September 26, Wharton is being hampered by a groin problem he suffered whilst on England duty at Euro 2024.

The club are giving serious consideration to sending the midfielder for surgery to cure the issue but a final decision is yet to be made.

Mail Sport understands that if Wharton has the procedure, club medics predict a recovery time to training of inside a month.

While Wharton’s absence would come as an obvious blow, there is a growing sense that the best course of action would be for the 20-year-old to go under the knife to rectify the problem once and for all.

FA thwarted Tuchel’s tie 

Thomas Tuchel’s plan to add sartorial elegance to his unveiling as England head coach last week was thwarted by the Football Association’s new informal dress code.

Keen to uphold the style traditions of English football’s governing body, the German arrived at Wembley for his first press conference intent on wearing on a tie.

Sam Allardyce is the only permanent England manager in recent memory who has not worn a tie at his official unveiling.

But Tuchel was informed by his new colleagues that, in line with the FA’s new relaxed dress code, that he was not required to wear the tie.

This column revealed last week that the FA had scrapped their traditional Wembley dress code on England match-days in a further sign of the organisation’s move to modernise.

For years the FA have enforced a stringent formal evening dress code for England matches but recently the governing body have eased those long-standing sartorial rules.

Saudis eye up Begiristain 

Outgoing Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain will not be short of offers when departs the Etihad this summer.

The famed Spanish administrator is expected to take some time out of the game before deciding on his next role in football when he leaves City at the end of the season.

But clubs, particularly across the Middle East, are already preparing to offer Begiristain, who has led some of the biggest transfers in European football history, work – initially on consultancy basis – once he leaves his current role with the Premier League champions.

There is said to be particular interest in the 60-year-old from the Saudi Pro League, who have already attracted some of the most recognisable players in the world to their division.

Premier League sent out Lord Ouseley scripts

The Premier League sent all 20 clubs a recommended script to commemorate the death of anti-racism activist Lord Herman Ouseley last week.

In a circular sent to all teams in preparation for their ‘No Room For Racism’ campaign, the Premier League advised clubs on how to appropriately pay tribute to Lord Ouseley.

The toolkit included a digital photo of the Kick It Out co-founder, who passed away aged 79 earlier this month, which could be used on stadium big screens but also a suggested script to be read over the public announcement system.

Crucially, however, clubs were not told that paying tribute to Lord Ouseley was compulsory with team’s left to decide whether they wanted to commemorate the equal rights campaigner’s life.

Tottenham, Newcastle, Wolves, Liverpool and Bournemouth were among the clubs who marked Lord Ouseley’s death at their games last weekend.

Nevertheless, Mail Sport has learned that there has been some consternation that the Premier League did not make tributes to Lord Ouseley mandatory at all fixtures during the organisation’s No Room For Racism campaign.

Anderson pledges allegiance 

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson is locked into an international career with England despite interest from Scotland.

The 21-year-old, who arrived at the City Ground from Newcastle over the summer, has impressed FA staff during what has been an excellent start to the season by the youngster.

And the FA are sure Anderson is now fully committed to an international future with England despite the youngster playing extensively for Scotland’s junior teams up to the Under-21s.

Having submitted an application to permit his move from representing Scotland to England, for whom he has made four appearances for the U21s, rules state that Anderson cannot formally apply to switch allegiances again for a significant period of time.

Anderson will be among the players pushing for a senior call-up in time to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup 2026 squad.

McClaren attracts interest from documentary-makers 

Steve McClaren could be headed for yet another lead role just weeks after landing the job as Jamaica head coach.

Mail Sport understands the former England boss’ Jamaican adventure is attracting interest from UK-based documentary makers interested in chronicling the trials and tribulations of his latest managerial job as he targets World Cup 2026 qualification with the Reggae Boyz.

Football documentaries have become hugely popular in recent years and producers believe McClaren’s new position has the makings of a ratings success.

Arsenal support staff member joins Qatar 

Arsenal senior masseuse Antony Stuart has left the club to take up a role with the Qatar Football Association (QFA).

Stuart, who had been with the Gunners for seven years, was part of Mikel Arteta’s support staff but has now departed to take up his new position in the Middle East.

The sports therapist has taken up the role as a soft tissue specialist with the Qatari governing body.

Stuart has held previous roles with Brighton and Motherwell.

Ex-City star joins referees appraisal pool 

Former Manchester City and Fulham defender Kit Symons has joined the roster of the Premier League’s match delegates tasked with assessing referees’ performances.

The top-flight have a pool of former players they use to appraise aspects of a referees output on a match day, and former Wales international Symons is among the collection of ex-professionals the Premier League are using.

Symons ran the rule over Andy Madley’s performance in Tottenham’s 4-1 win over West Ham, where the referee sent off Mohamed Kudus.