Fickle Harry Redknapp makes complete U-turn and blames one man for West Ham’s problems

Harry Redknapp has recently made a rather surprising statement regarding the struggles at West Ham United, one that has raised eyebrows given his previous comments. The former Hammers manager has shifted the blame for the club’s troubles this season squarely onto the shoulders of one individual: Tim Steidten, the club’s sporting director.

Redknapp’s remarks, which came during a talkSPORT interview on November 11, were in stark contrast to what he said just a few months ago. Back in August, he had praised West Ham’s summer recruitment, calling the signings “good” and expressing optimism about the team’s prospects for the season ahead. He even went as far as to suggest that the club could be in for a successful year. Fast forward to November, however, and Redknapp is singing a different tune, claiming that the club’s recruitment has been poor, which he believes is the root cause of their ongoing problems.

Redknapp’s latest comments have caused some confusion, especially since he had earlier lauded the club’s new additions, including players like Crysencio Summerville from Leeds and the continued presence of Jarrod Bowen. Back then, he seemed genuinely optimistic about West Ham’s chances, which makes his sudden change in stance rather puzzling. Now, Redknapp is pointing the finger at the quality of some of the new signings, suggesting that they are simply not up to scratch, and placing responsibility for this on Steidten, who oversees recruitment. According to Redknapp, it is the recruitment process that is failing, and not the manager, Julen Lopetegui, who he believes is only a “small cog” in the grand scheme of things. Redknapp’s logic seems to be that if a player is not performing, it is the fault of those who brought them in, not the manager who is attempting to integrate them into the team.

This line of reasoning is somewhat contradictory, considering Redknapp’s previous comments about West Ham’s signings. It’s almost as if he has forgotten the optimistic tone he struck just a few months ago or, alternatively, he believes that the new signings have somehow turned bad overnight. It’s a confusing and somewhat embarrassing flip-flop from a pundit who, in recent years, has often appeared out of touch with the modern game. Redknapp’s track record as a manager is well-known, but in his current role as a pundit, his insights into the game often seem to be a few steps behind current trends and thinking.

For West Ham fans, Redknapp’s comments should be taken with a grain of salt. While it’s undeniable that some of the club’s new signings have yet to fully hit their stride, it’s equally clear that manager Julen Lopetegui is struggling to find the right system to get the best out of the squad. The club has made some strong additions in the transfer market, but there are clearly some issues in terms of how these players are being integrated into the team. It’s not as simple as blaming recruitment alone—there is a need for better tactical coherence and better management of the squad’s potential. While the club may need to address some gaps in the squad, particularly in the midfield, West Ham do have a solid group of players, and it is frustrating to see them underperforming despite this.

Ultimately, the current problems at West Ham are likely to be a combination of factors, including missteps in recruitment, tactical issues, and perhaps even a bit of bad luck. Redknapp’s comments, though, have done little to help clarify the situation, and his reversal on the club’s summer signings is a stark reminder that punditry is often more about sensationalism than careful analysis. For West Ham, the priority should be on getting the best out of the current squad and addressing key issues in January, rather than worrying too much about what former managers or pundits have to say.