West Ham have made a shock statement on the future of Graham Potter ahead of the huge clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
The under-pressure Hammers boss has been at the centre of mounting speculation, and the club’s latest announcement is surprising in more ways than one.
Many West Ham fans have been calling for Graham Potter to be sacked in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Spurs.
Potter has struggled to make an impact or convince since replacing Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium in January.
In his half-a-season in charge last term, Potter won just five of his 19 games.
Pressure and speculation mount on Potter’s West Ham future
So the 50-year-old former Chelsea and Brighton coach went into this season with the jury very much out on him at West Ham.
Potter pointed to the fact he has had a full pre-season and some of his own signings as reasons he could now be fairly judged.
But things have got worse.
West Ham have lost four of their five games so far this season, conceding 14 goals.
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The meek surrender to bitter rivals Tottenham added fuel to the belief among many fans the team lacks leadership.
A dejected Graham Potter holds his hands on his head during West Ham's defeat to Wolves
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Some of Potter’s tactics and team selections have been heavily criticised too, including his persistence with struggling new goalkeeper and zonal marking as well as not playing a striker against Spurs.
West Ham have reportedly added Nuno Espirito Santo to their list as a potential replacement for Potter should results not improve.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was also allegedly spotted in the director’s box for the Tottenham defeat.
A well-connected West Ham journalist says there is no sign David Sullivan will move away from his preference of only appointing out-of-work managers if Potter is axed.
West Ham owners make shock statement on Potter’s future
The reporter has also addressed talk Mark Noble might step in to take charge of West Ham on an interim basis.
A top external source has claimed Graham Potter’s West Ham future will be in the balance if the Hammers lose to Crystal Palace, who are on a 16-game unbeaten run.
But fans and the likes of Match of the Day think Potter’s time at West Ham may be up soon.
Potter bravely turned the blame on West Ham’s owners after the Spurs shambles.
And West Ham fans will show where they think the ultimate blame rests as they protest against the board before the Palace clash.
As speculation swirls that Potter could be on the brink, there has been a surprising twist.
West Ham majority owner David Sullivan watches his side with fiancee Ampika Pickston at the London Stadium
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
West Ham have made a shock statement on the future of under-pressure boss Potter.
If the Hammers are to have serious hope of staying in the Premier League this season, Palace at home is a game they need to be winning.
But it may not be Potter’s last after all.
In fact it seems the Hammers have already made their minds up about Potter regardless of results.
Just two days after he was appointed as Lopetegui’s successor, West Ham stated they want a 10-year Potter dynasty.
There has been little evidence so far on the pitch that Potter is capable of getting the kind of performances and results to make that possible.
In a lengthy statement directly from Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and the board overnight, though, West Ham seem to make it very clear Potter has their backing.
West Ham acknowledged results and performances must improve.
But given the lack of those under Potter so far, the club’s board rather bizarrely pointed to the fact he has made Rush Green a nice environment again as a reason he is the right man for the Hammers.
The statement also points to Potter’s remit to get more Academy players in the first team, which suggests he will be here for the longer-term.
Potter gets board backing over ‘thriving’ training ground
“We have appointed Graham Potter as our new head coach,” West Ham’s owners said in a statement defending their record following a vote of no confidence from – and meeting with – the club’s Fan Advisory Board.
“His role is to build and develop a first-team squad in line with the club’s identity and objectives, with a continued focus on integrating young players from our Academy…
“We believe the biggest strength of the men’s first-team training facility at Rush Green is the unique, intimate atmosphere enhanced by the people within it – something that certainly didn’t hinder the club when winning a European trophy just two years ago, and something that is again thriving under Graham Potter.
“Our head coach has made clear his philosophy of developing an environment of trust and togetherness, built on the values that underpin the identity of our football club – including the importance of creating a pathway to the first team for our young Academy players.”
That does not sound like a club preparing to sack the manager if he loses to Palace.
But is it really enough that Potter has made the atmosphere in training more pleasant?
Fans want to see the results of that on the pitch.
If Potter’s dismal win ratio of six in 24 gets much worse, West Ham will be left with little choice but to act, no matter how good the atmosphere is at Rush Green.
Although the real change West Ham fans want to see is right at the top.