Nils Koppen is reportedly becoming increasingly influential behind the scenes at West Ham United following the club’s major summer overhaul.
BBC Sport reports that the Belgian now carries the most influence in recruitment discussions, with the transfer process at London Stadium described as more transparent than it has been previously.
West Ham officially list Koppen as their Director of Player Recruitment, alongside Nuno Espírito Santo and the club’s wider football department.
It provides another indication of how the structure behind West Ham’s transfer business is changing following relegation.
Koppen takes greater West Ham role
Koppen only arrived at West Ham this summer but was immediately handed a major rebuilding job.
The Hammers made extensive changes following their Premier League relegation, with a number of senior players departing and Nuno receiving a substantially reshaped squad.
That included the arrivals of Arne Engels, Joël Piroe, Divine Mukasa, Edvin Austbø, Morato and Adama Boiro.
ReadWestHam examined the overall business in our West Ham transfer window verdict.
Koppen’s influence has already been apparent in several of those deals.
Engels has quickly become an important member of Nuno’s midfield, while Austbø was another player linked closely with the recruitment director’s scouting network before completing his move from Viking.
The early impact of Engels and Mukasa was evident during the recent Derby victory, when ReadWestHam looked at how the midfield pairing solved one of Nuno’s biggest problems.
West Ham changes continue off the pitch
The recruitment development comes during a wider period of change at London Stadium.
Interim chief executive Karim Virani is also reported to be making a positive impression internally, particularly through his willingness to engage with supporters.
West Ham’s official club structure currently lists Virani as interim CEO and Koppen as Director of Player Recruitment.
With West Ham now top of the Championship after three consecutive victories, the early evidence suggests the new football structure is beginning to settle.
Koppen’s growing influence means his work will remain particularly important when West Ham begin preparing for the January transfer window.
