West Ham technical director Tim Steidten was the man who appointed Xabi Alonso and now he has some advice for his old pal.

It may not feel like it right now but there is a great deal of comfort West Ham can take from being knocked out of Europe by Bayer Leverkusen.

Look at what Leverkusen have achieved this season.

West Ham’s quarter-final opponents have won a first Bundesliga title, are unbeaten in 44 games and counting and on course for a treble.

And one of the key men behind it all is sat in West Ham’s boardroom in the shape of Tim Steidten.

Leverkusen is very much the house that Steidten built.

Steidten had the vision to appoint Xabi Alonso from Real Sociedad’s B team when he had never managed a senior team before.

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West Ham can take comfort in Steidten’s influence

The German, appointed by West Ham’s owners last summer to head up recruitment, also assembled the majority of that excellent, vibrant, young Leverkusen squad without spending crazy money.

Steidten recently committed himself to West Ham for what he sees as a five-year project.

That was a relief for the Hammers after he was linked with Liverpool and Newcastle.

He faces a busy summer with West Ham facing a big rebuild. With six players out of contract and others such as Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet likely to be sold, as many as 10 players could be required in the next window.

There is one player the Hammers simply must retain who is fundamental to everything, though.

That’s according to the manager who has just put the Irons out of Europe.

Alonso has told old pal Steidten to build West Ham around one star and it’s none of the Holy Trinity.

When assessing West Ham’s big strengths the first three players who come to mind are Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.

Alonso tells old pal Steidten to build West Ham around Alvarez

But Alonso says it is Edson Alvarez who is the club’s most important single player after what he witnessed over the two legs.

The Mexican midfield ace was suspended for the first leg. But he returned for the second leg at the London Stadium and was excellent, almost helping David Moyes’ side turn around the 2-0 deficit.

The Spaniard admitted he has followed Alvarez’s career closely.

And he was not disappointed when he saw El Machin up close in the 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

“He has adapted very well to the Premier League coming from Ajax,” Alonso said.

“I know him very well and I have followed him. You can see the importance he has in his team, he is a very complete player, fundamental for West Ham.

“He is good with the ball, he is aggressive against the ball, he likes to jump and also has a good game with the ball at his feet.

“I’m telling you he is a fundamental player for West Ham.”

Alvarez doesn’t play, West Ham don’t win

Alonso is spot on.

It’s clear for all to see how much influence Alvarez has on this West Ham team.

But the stats back it up too.

West Ham have failed to win any of the six Premier League matches they’ve played this season without Alvarez.

They have conceded 16 goals in those six games, just under three per match.

Steidten’s rebuild must centre around Alvarez, Kudus and Bowen.

A new striker and new young, pacy, modern full-backs are also essential after years of the club neglecting to adequately invest in those key positions.

Then Steidten must look to replace Paqueta’s guile if – as expected – he does join Man City.

West Ham should also be very wary of Alonso’s praise for Alvarez.

The Leverkusen boss has been heavily tipped to take over Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Liverpool in the not too distant future.

So he could well be picking up the phone to Steidten in a year or so to try and take Alvarez off our hands.