West Ham United boss Graham Potter is under mounting pressure after slumping to a dismal 3-0 derby defeat against Tottenham last Saturday, with the east Londoners losing four of their opening five games in all competitions thus far.
Potter has tough games against Crystal Palace, Everton and Premier League title-chasing Arsenal on the horizon, with more unconvincing performances threatening to oust the tactician just 10 months after he took over from Julen Lopetegui.
Only Avram Grant, who led the Hammers to relegation in 2011, boasts a worse West Ham win percentage than Potter since the Premier League's inception — serving as a clear warning that things desperately need to improve.
Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League Win percentage
9. Sam Allardyce 30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui 30%
11. Gianfranco Zola 27.8%
12, Graham Potter 27.3%
13. Avram Grant 18.9%
via StatMuse
West Ham's woeful defence, which has conceded 14 goals in all competitions already, is the top flight's worst back line right now by far — having also leaked 11 league goals in just four top flight matches.
Their failure to deal with set pieces has been another major thorn in Potter's side, and one key ingredient West Ham need more than anything else is solidarity if they're to avoid a relegation dogfight.
West Ham United manager Graham Potter applauds fans after the match-1
West Ham United manager Graham Potter applauds fans after the match
David Sullivan and the Irons board may even decide to cut their losses with Potter, especially considering that out-of-work former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo is readily available for hire.
The Portuguese, who guided Forest back to Europe for the first time since 1995 after a fairytale 2024/2025, was unceremoniously sacked by Evangelos Marinakis after a public fallout — just months after Nuno signed a brand-new contract.
Reports suggest that Nuno will jump at the chance to get back into management and his priority is to remain in the Premier League — making the 51-year-old a potential match made in heaven for West Ham.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo-2
Nuno's pragmatic approach and defensive style could also suit West Ham down to the ground amid their real fragility at the back, with the likes of Kieran McKenna, José Mourinho and Frank Lampard also named as managerial candidates at the London Stadium.
How West Ham's board really feel about Graham Potter after Tottenham defeat
However, before any approach is made to the aforementioned coaches, the club must first make a decision on Potter.
West Ham POTTER
According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, West Ham's board believe it is "too early" to sack Potter despite their lacklustre start to 2025/2026 — with the ex-Chelsea boss retaining their backing "for the time being".
The key phrase here is "for the time being", but should West Ham relieve the tactician sooner?
West Ham must make ruthless Graham Potter decision
The team looks disjointed right now, lacking both defensive organisation and attacking spark, which arguably reflects poorly on Potter’s tactical approach among other key concerns.
For a squad boasting proven talent, fans and pundits alike are in agreement that the side should be performing far better.
Potter’s track record at Chelsea also raises concerns. Despite heavy backing in the transfer market there, he failed to deliver results, and many critics feared West Ham were repeating the same mistake when he was appointed.
Those fears now appear to be realised, and with Nuno available, West Ham should bite the bullet, admit they made a mistake and bring the former Tottenham boss to east London.