West Ham United have now opened talks with a “tactically astute” manager, who could replace Graham Potter.
Potter under pressure after Crystal Palace defeat
It has been far from the ideal start to the Premier League season for West Ham, with Potter’s side currently sitting in the relegation zone, after losing four of their opening five games, and the manager is now under significant pressure.
Following the 2-1 loss at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday, there have been widespread reports suggesting the 50-year-old could be replaced as manager, after admitting he was disappointed with his side’s performance against the Eagles.
Potter said: “It’s this level and at the moment it’s not enough and we have to face up to that.
“We have to do more, we have to work harder, we have to find a solution to it. We have to be more stable defensively and offensively and find more ways to look stronger as a team. That’s where the work is now.”
Even prior to the defeat against Palace, the board were weighing up potential replacements for Potter, with Slaven Bilic and Nuno Espirito Santo named among the targets, and a new report has revealed that another manager is also being targeted.
According to a report from The Boot Room, West Ham have held talks with former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil this week, as they begin to prepare for life after Potter.
The report, which was released before Saturday’s game, states the Hammers’ hierarchy were planning to sack their current manager if they lost against Crystal Palace, which suggests it may be a matter of time before he departs.
Explaining the situation further, transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “West Ham are talking to other managers, and this tells us in recent history this is really bad news for Potter.
“It happened with Lopetegui and Moyes before him. Hammers’ sources are not pushing back; they can’t, as people know it is happening. It’s going to take some effort for Potter to remain in charge of the club.”
O'Neil would be risky appointment for West Ham
It is starting to look like the Hammers need to part ways with Potter, given that the manager has averaged just 0.92 points per match since his arrival, but there are doubts over whether O’Neil would be a savvy replacement.
The 42-year-old is still relatively inexperienced, having managed AFC Bournemouth for less than one full season, while he was also dismissed by Wolves last December, at which point the Old Gold were four points from safety.
The former Bournemouth boss has received some praise from a fellow manager, with Eddie Howe branding him “tactically astute”, but he would be a risky appointment, at a time when West Ham securing Premier League safety is paramount.
As such, Nuno may be a better appointment, having led Nottingham Forest to Europe last season, so it is promising news that West Ham are also in for the 51-year-old.