West Ham’s 2025/26 campaign got off to the worst possible start.
Three straight defeats — including a 3-0 opening day hammering by Sunderland, a 5-1 thrashing at home to Chelsea, and a shock early EFL Cup exit at the hands of Wolves — had fans fearing the worst.
There was, however, a glimmer of hope. A convincing 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest offered a welcome reprieve, with Lucas Paquetá capping his third goal of the season by passionately kissing the badge — a gesture that suggested the Brazilian is fully committed to the Hammers despite heavy summer speculation.
Even with that boost and the late flurry of transfer business — including the arrivals of Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker-Peters, Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa, and Igor Julio — questions remain about Graham Potter’s long-term future.
West Ham’s poor form at the end of last season hasn’t been forgotten, and the hierarchy may act if consistency doesn’t quickly follow.
And if they do, there is already one very high-profile candidate waiting in the wings.
Mourinho “Wants” West Ham
Jose Mourinho. (REUTERS/Pedro Nunes)
According to a fresh report from Football Insider, José Mourinho is keen on returning to the Premier League — and West Ham could be the club to give him that chance.
The self-proclaimed “Special One” left Fenerbahçe earlier this summer and has already been linked with the Hammers once before.
Now, former Manchester United scout Mick Brown believes Mourinho has his eyes set firmly on London, having previously managed both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the English capital.
“Jose Mourinho will want the West Ham job,” Brown told Football Insider. “He wants to return to London, I know he’s still got a house there and he loves living in the city, so if a job comes up that will allow him to move back, of course he’ll be interested.”
“Looking at the London clubs, he doesn’t exactly have a million options,” Brown added. “I think West Ham are the standout club on that list and it’s something that might come up. I don’t believe Potter will be sacked right now, but they’ve got to be prepared and have possible candidates lined up to replace him.”
For now, Potter remains in charge and has the chance to steady the ship. But if results dip again, West Ham may just have one of football’s most decorated managers waiting in the wings.