West Ham lose head of recruitment Maximilian Hahn as post-relegation exodus begins

West Ham United’s head of recruitment Maximilian Hahn is departing the London Stadium this summer, according to The Athletic, becoming the first significant off-field casualty of the club’s relegation from the Premier League. The Hammers dropped into the Championship after Tottenham Hotspur’s final-day victory over Everton condemned them, despite West Ham themselves winning 3-0 against Leeds United.

Hahn’s exit leaves sporting director Mark Noble and his team to oversee recruitment as the club prepares for life outside the top flight. The German recruiter had been instrumental in identifying several of West Ham’s most promising recent arrivals, including Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Hahn joined West Ham on the recommendation of former technical director Tim Steidten, who himself departed after reported clashes with managers David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui. Hahn had originally proposed signing Fernandes under Lopetegui, but the Spanish coach opted instead for Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez — a decision that proved costly, with both players failing to make a meaningful impact. Graham Potter subsequently approved the Fernandes move, and the Portuguese midfielder went on to become one of the club’s standout performers.

Fernandes is now widely expected to complete a move to Manchester United, a transfer that underlines the quality of Hahn’s recruitment work and the scale of the challenge facing West Ham as they attempt to rebuild. Summerville and loanee Axel Disasi are also anticipated to leave, with both players likely to attract interest from clubs competing in Europe’s top leagues.

With Hahn gone, West Ham face the task of restructuring their recruitment operation at precisely the moment they need it most. The club’s summer planning has already shifted focus toward free agents, younger talent and experienced veterans suited to a Championship campaign, rather than the Premier League reinforcements that had been envisaged before relegation.

Hahn’s departure is widely expected to be the first in a series of exits from the London Stadium over the coming weeks, as the full consequences of relegation begin to reshape the club’s playing squad and backroom staff alike.