West Ham United risk a tense future in the transfer market with the imminent exit of Head of Player Care Hugo Scheckter.

What’s the word?

According to Irons insider ExWHUemployee, while speaking on the West Ham Way Podcast, Scheckter has opted to leave his position at the east London outfit and will no longer be in charge of ensuring all players are well catered for at the club as of this December.

Scheckter took up his position with the Hammers in March 2018 following a three-year stint working as Southampton’s Player/Team Liaison Officer, and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the department and providing care and support to some of the club's most high-profile players.

He also oversaw a restructure of staffing and policies at West Ham, deals with any relocation requirements of new players, implemented a system to deal with fan mail, and liaises with the club secretary regarding transport and hotel arrangements for potential signings.

Scheckter is a well-liked member of the Irons backroom staff and has upset other members of staff with his decision, but has opted to vacate his position later this year after growing frustrated at certain decisions being made in east London.

“He will be leaving in December,” ExWHUemployee noted. “He has a great relationship with the players. Obviously, I have a reasonably good insight into what members of staff are popular there and I can honestly say that Hugo had a really positive reputation within the playing squad and other members of staff there.

“[Scheckter’s] a really nice guy, a good laugh and went out of his way to do his best for the players. Unfortunately, he’s got frustrated at things going on at the club and has decided to leave which has shocked and upset a number of people.”

A clear mistake from GSB

Scheckter opting to leave his position at West Ham signals a clear mistake by the Irons ownership of David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady as it appears that their decision making has cost the east London outfit a key and well-respected member of staff.

Replacing Scheckter will now be a vast undertaking by West Ham given the variety of responsibilities he held, along with the importance of those tasks in ensuring all players are well catered for off the field and have everything they need to succeed on it.

West Ham will particularly miss out from his work in managing the arrivals of potential transfers and ensuring they settle in well to their new surroundings, whether that requires Scheckter to source hotels, long-term housing, travel or schooling and English lessons.

His departure could also cause greater ripples through the backrooms in east London, given the upset and angst Scheckter’s decision is said to have caused. While the reasons behind his exit will likely raise questions over what caused him to grow so frustrated that leaving was the only solution.

AND in other news, West Ham risk a Jack Wilshere 2.0 scenario by signing a once-£42.4m-valued outcast backed by a club legend.