West Ham United are actively planning to appoint a new Director of Football ahead of the 2026/27 season, according to multiple reports from trusted insiders. The club parted ways with "Technical Director" Tim Steidten earlier in 2025 after a turbulent period, leaving David Sullivan to fill the role in a de facto capacity effectively. Steidten has since moved on and was recently announced as Director of Squad Planning & Recruiting at FC Koln of the Bundesliga. Vice-chair Karren Brady has confirmed to the Fan Advisory Board that the club intends to return to a dedicated director of football model, regardless of their Premier League status.
The position is critical: it will oversee recruitment strategy, academy pathways, player trading, data analytics integration, and long-term squad planning to support manager Nuno Espírito Santo and stabilise the club amid financial pressures and transfer market challenges. West Ham need someone who can deliver smart, value-driven signings while fostering sustainability.
If the squad avoid relegation, here are five realistic potential candidates — including the rising internal star Max Hahns — who could step into the role and shape the Hammers' future. If they should be relegated, West Ham will potentially look elsewhere.
1. Max Hahns (Internal Candidate — Current Head of Technical Recruitment & Analysis)
Born in 1995 (now aged around 30), the German data expert Maximilian "Max" Hahns joined West Ham from Werder Bremen in February 2024 as Head of Technical Recruitment and Analysis (often referred to as chief data analyst). He has rapidly risen through the ranks, earning credit for key transfer insights, player identification "hunches," and a data-driven approach that blends analytics with scouting. Reports suggest other European clubs (including German sides) are circling him for senior roles, prompting West Ham to work hard to retain and promote him.
Why he fits: Hahns already understands the club's infrastructure, squad, and culture inside-out, offering seamless continuity post-Steidten. A promotion would be cost-effective, signal faith in the existing setup, and bring a fresh, modern analytical edge — exactly what West Ham need to avoid past recruitment missteps. At his age, he represents a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix. Hahns has been credited for the club signing players like El Hadji Malick Diouf, Crysencio Summerville, Matheus Fernandes, and Mohamadou Kante, among other young players.
2. Dan Ashworth
The 53-year-old Englishman is one of the most respected figures in British football recruitment. He built Brighton's renowned model from the ground up, served as technical director at Newcastle United during their Saudi-backed rebuild, briefly at Manchester United, and previously led the FA's elite player development strategy. Ashworth has been heavily linked with the West Ham role in recent discussions.
Why he fits: His expertise in creating structured, sustainable recruitment systems — focusing on youth pathways, data, player trading profits, and Premier League-savvy signings — aligns perfectly with West Ham's ambitions. He knows how to work within budget constraints while delivering European-level talent, and his experience navigating big-club politics would help stabilise the London Stadium operation.
3. Paul Mitchell
Now 44, Paul Mitchell left his role as Sporting Director at Newcastle United in mid-2025. He previously held key positions at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur (where he played a major part in signing stars like Son Heung-min), Monaco, and has strong ties to the Red Bull network and RB Leipzig. Mitchell is renowned for his European scouting networks, youth development focus, and ability to integrate high-potential talents across leagues. He was actually the strong favourite for the West Ham job back in 2023 before Steidten was appointed.
Why he fits: Mitchell brings elite international connections and a proven track record of smart signings that balance immediate impact with resale value. As a friend of club legend Mark Noble (current sporting director), he could slot in harmoniously and help modernise West Ham's global recruitment without alienating the board.
4. Lee Dykes
The 41-year-old serves as Technical Director at Brentford, where he has been central to the club's analytics-led success story. Promoted from Head of Recruitment, Dykes oversees a process that combines cutting-edge data, global scouting, and player development — unearthing gems at low cost and turning them into Premier League assets or profitable sales. He was previously on West Ham's shortlist in 2023.
Why he fits: Brentford's model of intelligent, budget-conscious recruitment is precisely what West Ham have lacked at times. Dykes could import a proven, data-heavy system that maximises value in the transfer market, supports the manager's style, and generates long-term financial returns — all while fitting the club's mid-table-to-European aspirations.
5. Dougie Freedman
Now 51, the former Crystal Palace sporting director departed Selhurst Park in early 2025 for an overseas opportunity. During his extended tenure, Freedman transformed Palace's recruitment, masterminding high-upside signings and standout player development/trading (notably Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Marc Guehi). A former player himself with deep Premier League experience, he excels at identifying talent suited to English football's physicality and intensity.
Why he fits: Freedman's track record of building competitive squads on sensible budgets, profiting on sales, and maintaining stability in London mid-table battles makes him an ideal cultural and tactical match for West Ham. His return to English football could inject proven know-how into the Hammers' setup and help them punch above their weight sustainably.
The coming weeks and months will be pivotal as West Ham finalise their search — potentially waiting until the end of the current campaign for clarity on their league position. Whether they go internal with Max Hahns for continuity, or opt for an external heavyweight like Ashworth, Mitchell, Dykes, or Freedman, the right Director of Football could be the catalyst for a new era of stability and ambition at the London Stadium. Fans will be watching closely to see who gets the keys to the recruitment engine.