Former West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has joined Bundesliga side FC Köln as their new Director of Squad Planning and Recruitment.

Steidten left his post at West Ham upon the appointment of Graham Potter as Hammers boss in January 2025.

The 46-year-old spent just under 18 months at the London Stadium and was integral in the acquisition of players such as Mohammed Kudus, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Now, after just over a year without a club, he is back in the Bundesliga with FC Köln (Cologne), who sit 14th in the German top flight, just a point off the relegation play-off position.

Steidten was a polarising figure during his time in East London. He excelled at getting big deals over the line and was superb at selling the prospect of playing for West Ham to the Irons’ transfer targets.

However, he was also criticised for his stubbornness and his rumoured tendency to fall out with fellow staff at West Ham. Additionally, the 2024 summer transfer window did him no favours, as the Irons splashed the cash on players like Luis Guilherme and Niclas Füllkrug with little return on the pitch.

Hammers fans also called out the 46-year-old for seemingly hogging the limelight at times. He was criticised after being spotted in the tunnel and on the touchline before matches at the London Stadium – a criticism which was strange and probably unjust in hindsight.

Steidten’s legacy at West Ham isn’t viewed in a positive light and that’s unlikely to change, but he still showed some promise during his time in East London. Most notably, he made some good signings that are now coming very good for Nuno Espírito Santo’s team.

And even though not all of his signings hit the mark, he made West Ham feel important to prospective players – which is why it is slightly surprising that it has taken him this long to associate himself with another club.

In May of last year, Steidten was reportedly in talks with Barcelona to join their management team, but a move never materialised. Following the announcement of his return to German football, one can’t help but think FC Köln is a step down from that – it might even be a step down from West Ham.

The rumours of animosity between Steidten and West Ham managers during his time in Stratford certainly didn’t help his reputation.

True or not, the fact that it was heavily rumoured that David Moyes had banned him from the training ground in 2024 – and the fact so many fans believed it – was a bad omen for the German.

Despite the sour way things ended between Steidten and the Irons, I still wish him the best in his new adventure. But don’t be surprised if you see a headline announcing his departure from the German side in 2027.