West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is “close friends” with Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Speaking to Hammers News, Bailey said people shouldn’t write off the London club’s chances of appointing the former Chelsea manager this summer:

“In a dream world, he’d (Steidten) like Tuchel, who he’s close friends with, and some people would scoff as those types of links but West Ham are a huge club in London, 60,000 fans and they’ve got a squad that would appeal to a lot of people.”

It remains to be seen whether Steidten can persuade Tuchel or whether he will have to turn to an alternative target if manager David Moyes leaves the club at the end of the season.

What is the current situation with Moyes?

The Irons boss has a contract that expires in June, but the Scot has confirmed that the club have offered him an extension.

At the moment, Moyes has not decided whether to put pen to paper on a new deal. He hasn’t given his reason for why but there are rumours that it is down to his relationship with Steidten.

Reports suggest that the board want to put the German in sole charge of transfers, relegating Moyes to a head coach role; something that the former Everton and Manchester United boss is not best pleased with.

Who are the front runners to become the next West Ham manager?

A number of names have been suggested as possible successors to Moyes. In addition to Tuchel, another former Chelsea coach Graham Potter is said to be high on the list of options.

Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and Ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui are also expected to come under consideration if there is a change in the dugout at the London Stadium.