West Ham’s miserable start to the 2025/26 season has left manager Graham Potter under huge pressure.
The Hammers have lost three of their opening four games, conceding 11 goals in the process, and sit inside the relegation zone.
Fans are already calling for change, and speculation has linked big names such as Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo with the London Stadium hot seat.
Another candidate being touted is Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna — but one former Hammer insists there’s no chance of that happening.
McKenna Would “Be Mad” to Take West Ham Job
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. (Action Images/Matthew Childs)
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. (Action Images/Matthew Childs)
According to a former West Ham player speaking to Claret & Hugh, McKenna will not entertain the idea of succeeding Potter.
The 38-year-old guided Ipswich back to the Premier League last season for the first time since 2001/02, and although the Tractor Boys were ultimately relegated, he was widely praised for his work.
McKenna’s side played an attractive brand of football, and several of his players thrived under his management. Striker Liam Delap, who earned a big-money move to Chelsea in the summer, even described him as “incredible”.
But despite the speculation, the unnamed ex-Hammer was blunt about McKenna’s prospects of taking the West Ham role.
“McKenna won’t go near the West Ham job as things are. He has a growing reputation and the club is in disarray behind the scenes. He’d be mad to go there,” he said.
“Plenty of people will be interested in the job, but any young coach would find it tough with the owners and the interference behind the scenes.”
For now, it seems the Ipswich boss is focused on rebuilding his reputation in the Championship — and West Ham will have to look elsewhere if they decide to pull the trigger on Potter.