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Nils Koppen outlines West Ham's two-stage recruitment interviews

Started Last Movement

West Ham recruitment director Nils Koppen says the club interviews prospective signings separately about their football fit and their character, according to The West Ham Way's account of his Iron Cast interview.

It is a clear account of the process, with its success still to be judged by the players it brings in.

No-Guff Summary

  • The West Ham Way says Koppen described separate football-fit and character interviews for prospective signings.
  • In West Ham's published interview, Koppen says staff also seek references from former coaches and backroom staff, and poor feedback ruled out some targets this summer.
Development Updated

Koppen describes separate football and character interviews for signings

West Ham are asking two different questions before signing a player, according to recruitment director Nils Koppen: can he fit the football, and does he have the character for the club?

The West Ham Way reports that Koppen described separate interviews for those two checks in a recorded Iron Cast interview. That gives supporters a specific look at how the club says it assesses prospective signings. The interviews are a process, though. The test is whether they help West Ham make better choices.

Koppen also said Divine Mukasa had turned down several clubs, including three Premier League sides, because he wanted to return to West Ham. That illustrates the importance he places on a player's willingness to join, rather than marking a new move for Mukasa.

Sources

  • The West Ham Way (opens in a new tab) — Argues that West Ham’s recruitment process is improving, citing Nils Koppen’s account of two-stage player interviews and his statement that Divine Mukasa chose West Ham over other clubs.
  • West Ham United FC - Official Site (opens in a new tab) — Explains West Ham Director of Player Recruitment Nils Koppen’s approach to recruitment, his assessment of the summer window and the club’s early preparations for January.
  • Claret&Hugh (opens in a new tab) — Argues that Nils Koppen’s in-house interview offered encouraging insight into West Ham’s recruitment operation, including his account of working with Nuno Espírito Santo.
  • West Ham Zone (opens in a new tab) — Reports that Nils Koppen said West Ham’s transfer documentation asks whether a signing would block an academy player, and that several youngsters are developing around the first team.
  • Football.London (opens in a new tab) — Reports Nils Koppen’s comments that West Ham would prefer not to make many January signings, is assessing potential improvements and expects to narrow its scouting focus by November and December.
  • Claret&Hugh (opens in a new tab) — Reports Nils Koppen said West Ham abandoned some potential signings this window after references or meetings left the club with concerns about their personalities.
  • West Ham World (opens in a new tab) — Argues that West Ham’s recruitment process now explicitly considers whether a potential signing would block an academy player’s pathway, citing Nils Koppen’s comments on the club’s Iron Cast podcast.