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Thiago Motta | Getty Images
West Ham have made a slow start to the new Premier League season under Graham Potter
West Ham were beaten 3-0 at home by Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. The Hammers have made a slow start to the new Premier League season. They have won one of their opening four fixtures this season.
Pressure is mounting on Graham Potter to start getting some results. He joined the London club during the last campaign after their decision to cut ties with Julen Lopetegui. Their head coach has managed the likes of Swansea City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea in the past.
West Ham linked with Frank Lampard
West Ham have been linked with a swoop for Coventry City boss Frank Lampard if they sack Potter. Their former midfielder has caught the eye with the Sky Blues in the Championship. However, they should look elsewhere for their next potential boss.
Step forward Thiago Motta, who is available and would be ideal for the Hammers. The 43-year-old, who is from Brazil, has been available since March. He has outlined his ambition to work in England previously and said: “The Premier League is sensational and has a style that’s perfectly suited to the way I play. I’ve played many games against English opposition and believe I can enjoy football in England.”
The ex-Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and PSG man played at the top level during his playing days. He hung up his boots in 2018 and has since delved into the coaching world. He has been weighing up his options over recent times and will be considering his next move.
Why Thiago Motta would suit West Ham
Motta’s Bologna side were a breath of fresh air and he could do the same with West Ham. They punched above their weight in Serie A during his tenure and he landed the top job at Juventus afterwards. His time in Turin didn’t go to plan in the end though and he will feel he has a point to prove now.
The Sao Paulo-born man started out in the PSG academy after retiring and later had spells as the number one at Genoa and Spezia. He switched to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in 2022 and immediately hit the ground running. He won 46% of matches and won Coach of the Month four times during his two-year stint.
Motta subsequently lasted less than 12 months at Juventus but will have learnt a lot from his time with the Italian giants. A switch to West Ham would give him the chance to show what he can do in a new country. He is someone who likes to play attacking and attractive football and that would help get their fans off their seats.
Turning to Lampard would be playing it safe and the Hammers need to roll the dice and take a gamble on someone like Motta. Their squad is too strong to go down and they should show some ambition and think outside the box if they decide to dismiss Potter. Next up is a home clash against Crystal Palace as they look to bounce back from their loss to Spurs.
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