The Graham Potter sack race appears to be ‘on’. Many of the runners and riders are, co-incidentally linked with the troubled Rubem Amorim’s job at [Manchester United](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-v-manchester-united-claret-and-hughs-predicted-line-up/). Three of the top four ‘tipped’ to take over at Old Trafford have been linked with the West Ham manager job: Jose Mourinho, Gareth Southgate and Nuno Espirito Santo make up three of the top four ‘bookies’ favourites’ for Amorim’s job.
So says _givemesport.com_ today. More worrying is the article titled “_Ex West Ham star in the mix to replace Potter_” – by _[footballinsider247.com](https://www.footballinsider247.com/former-west-ham-ace-tipped-to-be-in-the-mix-to-take-over-from-flailing-graham-potter/)_ which goes onto claim: “_Gary O’Neil teed up as another possible candidate for West Ham job”!
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Which rather caused my jaw to drop as O’Neil seems short on ‘success’ in any of his managerial roles and would reek of low ambition as a West Ham appointment.
The only evidence to support their claim that former West Ham player O’Neil might be considered is because of Darren Bent suggesting him on talkSPORT: Hardly a red hot certainty then.
Suggesting that a manager who’s biggest achievement was steering Bournemouth to a ‘stable’ 15th place in 2022-3 would be a suitable West Ham candidate – simply because he played in Claret and Blue for two seasons- would be to ignore the rest of O’Neils managerial career which is anything but noteworthy.
If ever there was a coach _who was not a_ ‘solid Graham Potter replacement’ then I’d venture that would be Gary O’Neil.
Hardly Xavi or Espírito Santo, is he. I’m sure O’Neil is a very nice man, but we’ve had enough of ‘nice men’: Can we have a nasty, horrible, tough, ruthless ‘winner’ please?